Charlotte-based Coca-Cola Consolidated says it’s donating $25 million toward the launch of NC Children’s, the hospital that UNC Health and Duke Health intend to build in Apex in southern Wake County.
The donation from the largest U.S. Coca-Cola bottler is the first “significant gift” NC Children’s has received, organizers say. They want to raise $1 billion from private donors as part of a project expected to cost at least $2 billion.
“Serving others is at the heart of our purpose,” said Morgan Everett, vice chair of Coca-Cola Consolidated’s board of directors. “We are honored to collaborate with NC Children’s to establish a state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to delivering comprehensive care to children in need—both within our community and beyond.”
The hospital project has widespread support from N.C. business leaders and State Treasurer Brad Briner. Among the leaders of the private funding campaign for NC Children’s is former State Treasurer Richard Moore, who is CEO of Southern Pines-based First Bancorp.
But state funding, which is expected to provide the bulk of support, has been held up as part of the state budget dispute between N.C. Senate and House leaders. House Speaker Destin Hall has questioned the need for the stand-alone hospital, noting that UNC Health and Duke have significant reserves. He’s also cited the excellence of existing programs operated by UNC, Duke and other large N.C. hospital systems.
Legislators allotted $213.6 million to the project in the biennial budget for 2023-25. The state Senate has proposed adding $638.5 million in 2025-27, for a total of $852.1 million.
Hall has said the caucus not only doesn’t want to add to the state’s share, it would like to claw back the money allocated in 2023-25.
Coca-Cola Consolidated is a $10 billion (market cap) business controlled by the Harrison family. Everett is the daughter of CEO Frank Harrison Jr. The company has been a major supporter of Charlotte’s Atrium Health over the years.
Plans call for a campus with about 570 beds, a behavioral health operation and an outpatient center.
