Latest News Georgia Governor Nathan Deal Announces $250 Million Alcon Expansion in Atlanta Area By Staff Friday, October 9, 2015 12:30 AM Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. ATLANTA—Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced yesterday that Alcon, a division of Novartis (NYSE: NVS), has invested $500 million in the Johns Creek community within the Greater Atlanta Metro area since 2013. More than $250 million was invested in 2013 to add more than 70,000 square feet to the Johns Creek manufacturing facility for the production of Dailies and Dailies Total1 contact lenses. Another $250 million is being invested in a current expansion to support additional production lines for Dailies AquaComfort Plus and Dailies Total 1 contact lenses, an Alcon spokesperson told VMail. “With this, we are creating an additional 250 new jobs,” the spokesperson said. The 2013 expansion created approximately 300 new jobs.“On World Sight Day, we recognize Alcon’s innovation in eyecare and the company’s significant economic impact here in Georgia,” said Governor Deal. “Alcon was one of the first companies to participate in my High Demand Career Initiative, providing us with valuable insight into the needs of their future work force. Today, we celebrate Alcon’s advancements and look forward to their continued growth in Georgia.”Alcon Atlanta manufacturing general manager Rob Meyers said, “Alcon is the global leader in eyecare, and here in Johns Creek, we have more than 1,700 individuals focused on the production, R&D and distribution for our game-changing contact lens brands like Dailies Total1. Our site’s recent growth is a reflection of our innovation and continued growth in the contact lens industry, as well as the many benefits that operating in the state of Georgia provides. A variety of state, county and city leaders and organizations have contributed to our growth, which has played a key role in our decisions to continue to invest in our Johns Creek location.”In addition to the 1,700 people Alcon employs in the Atlanta area, the company also employs about 9,000 throughout the U.S. and about 22,000 worldwide, the Alcon spokesperson said.