Eli Lilly to develop $5 billion drug manufacturing facility in Goochland

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is bringing a major investment to Goochland County.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the drug maker announced plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Goochland's West Creek Business Park.

“Right here in Virginia, we’re going to be making medicine for people around the world,” said Dave Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company.

He called the project a milestone, noting the site will serve as the company’s first bioconjugate facility where Eli Lilly will produce advanced medicines to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.

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The company said the selection process for the site was highly competitive, with more than 400 locations across the country competing for the build. According to Ricks, Goochland County ultimately won out because of its ability to develop the site quickly and the support shown by both local leaders and state officials.

“Goochland is not only open for business, but we’re competing, we’re winning at the highest level,” said Tom Winfree, chairman of the Goochland County Board of Supervisors.

The new facility is expected to create 650 full-time jobs, ranging from scientists and lab technicians to engineers, along with an estimated 1,800 construction jobs.

“Those kinds of jobs are not just any job," Ricks said. "I think it’s a special job ... wearing a Lilly logo on that badge."

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The announcement comes as former President Donald Trump continues to push for tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products. Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the project, saying it will help position Virginia as a cornerstone of America’s domestic drug manufacturing industry.

“We get to collectively say that made in America means made in Virginia,” Youngkin said.

Eli Lilly has committed more than $50 billion toward new manufacturing investments since 2020, Ricks said.

The Goochland facility is expected to be completed within five years. The company said it also plans to announce three other sites across America.