David H. Murdock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More recently Murdock has helped contribute to the redevelopment of a 5,800,000-square-foot (540,000 m2) complex in Kannapolis, North Carolina of a biotechnology research center known as the North Carolina Research Campus.[2] The research center is a joint public-private venture, involving major North Carolina universities and private investment. The site of the research center in the middle of Kannapolis was formerly occupied by Plant #1 of Cannon Mills (which became Pillowtex after a series of mergers and acquisitions). Pillowtex filed for bankruptcy in 2003, and closed the once-thriving mill where Cannon towels and sheets were made, and was the basis for the creation of the town of Kannapolis. The closing of Plant #1 resulted in the largest mass layoff of workers in North Carolina history. Murdock acquired the site and demolished the mill in 2006.