Creating 650 High-Wage Jobs in Goochland County
RICHMOND, VA — September 16, 2025 — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that global pharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company will invest $5 billion to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia, creating 650 high-wage jobs and 1,800 construction jobs. The project marks a significant expansion from Lilly’s original $2.148 billion commitment and positions Virginia as a cornerstone of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain.
The new facility, located in West Creek Business Park, will be Lilly’s first fully integrated site for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drug products for its emerging bioconjugate and monoclonal antibody platforms—critical treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions.
“Lilly’s commitment to Virginia strengthens our economy, secures America’s pharmaceutical supply chain, and positions the Commonwealth to lead in life sciences innovation,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This facility will deliver some of the most advanced medicines in Lilly’s portfolio, powered by the unmatched talent of our Virginia workforce.”
A Strategic Expansion in Biopharma Manufacturing
- $5 billion investment
- 650 new jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and operations
- 1,800 construction jobs during development
- First-of-its-kind facility for Lilly’s bioconjugate and antibody treatments
- Part of Lilly’s broader $50 billion global manufacturing investment initiative
“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,” said David A. Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company.
Virginia’s Competitive Edge
The project was secured through collaboration between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Goochland County, and the Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission. Lilly will be eligible for a special appropriation of up to $130 million, subject to General Assembly approval.
Support for workforce development will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, ranked the No. 1 Customized Workforce Training Program in the U.S. by Business Facilities in 2024. Training will be aligned with international best practices to support Lilly’s long-term success.
“Lilly’s investment is a powerful endorsement of Virginia’s strategic efforts in biopharma and life sciences,” said Senator Louise Lucas, Vice Chair of the MEI Commission. “This is a major win for Goochland County and the entire Commonwealth,” added Delegate David Owen.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Founded nearly 150 years ago and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly employs over 49,000 people worldwide, including 22,000 in the U.S. The company operates manufacturing facilities in nine countries and is actively expanding its U.S. footprint with four new sites planned by the end of 2025.
For more information on Virginia’s economic development initiatives, visit www.vedp.org.
Media Contact:
Pryor Green
Managing Director
VEDP
pgreen@vedp.org
