Eli Lilly and Company has announced plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia. The project is expected to create 650 new high-wage jobs and 1,800 construction jobs at the West Creek Business Park. This investment marks a significant increase from the company’s original plan of $2.148 billion and 468 jobs.
Governor Glenn Youngkin commented on the announcement, stating, “Lilly is one of the world’s great innovators, and I want to thank them for this significant commitment to Virginia. This new facility in Goochland County will create 650 great jobs, along with 1,800 construction jobs, and deliver some of the most advanced medicines in Lilly’s portfolio, powered by the unmatched talent of our Virginia workforce. By expanding manufacturing capacity here in the United States, we are strengthening our economy, securing America’s critical pharmaceutical supply chain, and positioning Virginia to lead in the industries that will drive innovation for generations to come.”
David A. Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, said, “Our investment in Virginia underscores our commitment to U.S. innovation and manufacturing – creating high-quality jobs, strengthening communities, and advancing the health and well-being of Americans nationwide. By expanding our domestic capacity, we’re building a secure, resilient supply chain that delivers for patients today and supports the breakthrough medicines of tomorrow.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura added: “For nearly 150 years, Eli Lilly and Company has worked to address the medical mysteries others considered impossible. Today, Virginia is joining them on that mission. With this investment, Lilly isn’t just bringing great jobs and new facilities; they are bringing the promise of a healthier future for all Americans.”
The new site will be Eli Lilly’s first dedicated plant integrating active pharmaceutical ingredient production with drug product manufacturing for its bioconjugate platform and monoclonal antibody portfolio. These products are mainly used for cancer treatment but may also be developed for autoimmune diseases.
Tom Winfree, Chairman of Goochland County Board of Supervisors said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lilly to the Goochland business community. The West Creek Business Park has long been recognized as one of the premier business destinations in our region. It grows even stronger as we officially welcome Eli Lilly as its newest corporate resident — a company whose presence will bring jobs, investment, and innovation to our community. Their investment is proof of both Virginia’s and Goochland’s appeal as a great place to do business.”
Delegate Luke Torian stated: “Lilly’s decision to expand into Virginia marks a significant investment in the Commonwealth’s economic future. With Virginia’s strategic advantages and highly skilled workforce, this new facility will generate tremendous opportunities for job creation and continued long-term economic growth in Virginia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.”
Senator Louise Lucas commented: “I am thrilled to welcome Lilly to the Commonwealth of Virginia and Goochland County. Their decision to build a major pharmaceutical manufacturing facility here is a powerful testament to the strategic investments Virginia has made in the biopharma and life sciences sectors, positioning our state as a destination for global leaders in pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
Eli Lilly employs more than 49,000 people worldwide with over 22,000 based in the United States. Its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities are located across Indiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico—and soon—Virginia.
Congressman John McGuire said: “As the first Congressman in Goochland County history, I am excited to welcome Lilly to Goochland County and Virginia’s Fifth District. Lilly’s $5 billion investment will create hundreds of high-paying jobs in the Fifth District as well as provide much needed resiliency and security for our pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chain. This will benefit Virginians and patients across the United States. Goochland County is the perfect location for this new facility; it will create long-term economic growth in the Commonwealth. I thank Governor Youngkin, Goochland County,and Lilly for making this investment a reality.”
Senator Luther Cifers added: “The decision by Lilly to invest billions of dollars in Virginia underscores the ‘open for business’ posture of our Commonwealth.I applaudthe workof Governor Youngkin,theVirginia Economic Development Partnership,theMajor Employmentand Investment Project Approval Commission,andGoochlandCountyin securingthisproject.Goochland’scommon-sense,citizen-engagingapproachtolocalgovernmenthasmadeitsuchagreatplacetoliveandwork,andthisis yet another success markerin its incredible journey.I congratulateall involvedandwelcomeLillytothe10thSenateDistrict!”
Delegate David Owen said: “This is a major win for Goochland Countyandthe entire Commonwealth.EliLilly’sinvestmentwillbringhundredsofgood-payingjobs,strengthenourlocaleconomy,andfurthercementVirginiaasaleaderininnovationandmanufacturing.I’mproudthatGoochlandwillbehome toa facilitythatdevelopslife-savingtreatmentswhilecreatingnewopportunitiesforourfamiliesandworkforce.”
The project was secured through cooperation between local authorities including Goochland County,the General Assembly’s Major Employmentand Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission,andtheVirginiaEconomicDevelopmentPartnership.Lillyis eligibleto receivean MEICommission-approvedspecialappropriationofupto$130million,basedonaninvestmentofmorethan$2.148billionandthecreationof468jobs,pendingapprovalbytheVirginiaGeneralAssembly.
Edward H.Baine,presidentofDominionEnergyVirginiaandseniorutilityexecutiveadded:“Lilly’sdecisiontolocateitsfirstVirginiabiopharmaceuticalmanufacturingfacilityinGoochlandCountyisexcitingnews.DominionEnergyVirginiais honoredtopartnerwithLillyforitslong-termsuccessintheregion.Welookforwardtoprovidingthereliableaffordable,increasinglycleanenergyneededforLillytosuccessfullyreachnewmarketsanddeliverinnovativemedicinestopatients.”
Jennifer Montague,presidentofColumbiaGasofVirginiaadded:“WeapplaudtheeffortsofLilly,theVirginiaEconomicDevelopmentPartnership,GoochlandCountyandtheVirginiaGeneralAssemblytomakethisincredibleinvestmentinVirginiatoreality.ColumbiaGasofVirginiastandsreadytoprovidedependable,safeandreliablenaturalgasserviceneededtohelpenergizeLilly’snewfacility,andwe’reproudtocontinuetoplayakeyroleineconomicdevelopeffortssuchasthisoneacrosstheCommonwealth.”
Elizabeth Creamer,Vice President Workforce Development at Community College Workforce Alliance stated:“Lilly’schoicetoinvestinVirginiaisapowerfulendorsementofthestrategiceffortsandsubstantialinvestmentswe’vemadeintheRichmondregiontocultivatearobustandresilientworkforceecosystem.WearefullypreparedtosupportLillywiththeworld-classtalentandtrainingresourcesessentialforlong-termsuccess.”
SupportforjobcreationwillcomefromtheVirginiaTalentAcceleratorProgram,a customizedworkforcetraininginitiativecreatedbyVEDPinpartnershipwithhighereducationinstitutions.Theprogramoffersrecruitmentandtrainingservicestailoredtocompanyneedsatnocosttoqualifyingcompanies.
