Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced an investment of more than $1 billion in its Jacksonville, Florida operations to expand Vision manufacturing, packaging and distribution capabilities.

The investment includes construction of a new distribution facility and advanced manufacturing technologies to increase capacity for ACUVUE contact lenses. The company manufactures more than 1.7 billion ACUVUE contact lenses annually for U.S. patients, serving more than 40 million patients globally.

Construction is underway with the goal of full operation by 2028. The investment supports 3,500 Jacksonville employees and is part of Johnson & Johnson's previously announced $55 billion U.S. investment in manufacturing, research and development, and technology through early 2029.

"This investment reinforces our long-standing conviction that advanced manufacturing in the United States is essential to delivering innovative, high quality healthcare solutions to patients at home and around the world," said Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Johnson & Johnson has operated in Jacksonville for more than 40 years, establishing its presence in 1981. The company currently maintains more than 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing, research, distribution, and operations facilities in Florida.

The company states it contributes approximately $6 billion annually to Florida's economy. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan called the investment "a strong vote of confidence in Jacksonville, our workforce, and our future."

The announcement was based on a company press release statement.