Rendering of main buildings in planned campus in University Research Park

University City Partners is excited to announce the addition of Centene Corporation to its market. Earlier today (July 1, 2020), Centene announced that it will establish an East Coast headquarters in University City, Charlotte, after completing a comprehensive evaluation process.

The company will begin construction in August on its new campus along Governor Hunt Road in University Research Park and plans to create 6,000 new jobs and invest $1 billion in the Charlotte community over time.

“Charlotte has great talent, excellent infrastructure and a real commitment to sustainable development,” said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. “We are pleased to expand our partnership with the city of Charlotte, the county of Mecklenburg, and the state of North Carolina. We look forward to many years of collective growth and innovation.”

The company’s $1 billion investment will provide over 1 million square feet of office and meeting space, a corporate boardroom, a childcare and early education center, a variety of dining venues, auditorium, fitness center, and a stand-alone building housing a corporate learning and development center named Centene Tech University. The campus buildings will be designed to preserve and take advantage of the campus’ environment with an emphasis on providing open spaces, natural light, and embracing the site’s natural features.

The second largest employment center in Charlotte, University City accommodates and attracts a variety of businesses including major financial, healthcare and insurance companies including Wells Fargo, TIAA, Allstate and now Centene Corporation. The edge city is anchored by UNC Charlotte with nearly 30,000 students, and a community hospital, Atrium Health University City, which is the highest ranked hospital in the region for safe care.

“University City is a diverse, multicultural community with a strong talent pool, and Centene Corporation is the type of company we want to attract,” said University City Partners Executive Director Darlene Heater. “Their commitment to philanthropy, hiring people of color and supporting training and development for their employees to grow in their careers is a great match for the area.”

University City has secured two of the largest recent economic development projects in Charlotte – Allstate and now Centene Corporation. Allstate resides in Innovation Park and Centene will reside in University Research Park. Other large, notable employers in University City include: AON/Alight, AT&T, AXA, Chime Solutions, City of Charlotte (311 services), Classic Graphics, Duke Energy, Electrolux (NA HQ), EPRI, Fox Network, GoHealth, IRS, McKesson, Principal Insurance, Rack Room Shoes HQ, Republic Waste, TIAA, TTI, Verizon and Wells Fargo.

The area is prime with talent from the nearly 70 percent of UNC Charlotte students who stay in Charlotte after graduation. The university also offers academic expertise and research. Atrium Health University City Hospital, the highest ranked hospital in the region for safe care, has helped to attract more than 300 medical businesses to the University City submarket. The hospital serves patients from all over the region and has also interested mental health companies to University City like Cardinal Innovations and Monarch Behavioral Health facility. Centene Corporation is a great addition.

University City has strong mobility infrastructure for employers with great access to roads, I-85, I-77, I-485 and public transportation with LYNX light rail making it possible to reach Uptown and South Charlotte within a consistent and efficient timeframe. Coming soon, are new funded infrastructure for enhanced modes of transportation like the North Bridge over I-85 Bridge and protected bike lanes and sidewalks from McCollough Station towards JW Clay Blvd Station. These developments support University City as a growing urban core in Charlotte.

More details about today’s announcement

• Click here to read today’s full announcement from Centene Corporation about its new University City facility.
  Visit Centene.com to learn more about the corporation.