News
January 21, 2025

Defense Contractor to Build $5B Manufacturing Facility in Ohio

Caroline Raffetto

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Defense technology company Anduril Industries is set to construct a 5 million-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio, a project expected to create 4,000 jobs, state officials announced on Jan. 16.

Dubbed "Arsenal 1," the facility will occupy a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County, 16 miles southeast of Columbus. Construction is slated to begin after state and local approvals, with production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles starting in July 2026, according to Christian Brose, Anduril’s chief strategy officer.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called it the state’s largest single job creation and payroll project. “We are an aerospace state,” DeWine said, noting Ohio’s history in aviation, from the Wright brothers to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He also referred to Ohio as “the brains of the Air Force.”

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted highlighted Ohio’s competitive edge in attracting such projects, pointing to its skilled aerospace workforce, robust job training programs, and partnerships with colleges and universities. “Ohio has literally built a strategy around this kind of project, and so we are perfect for them,” Husted said.

The facility is part of Anduril’s mission to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military capabilities by scaling production with advanced software and manufacturing technologies.

The project complements Ohio's growing "silicon corridor," which includes Intel's $20 billion chip factory near Columbus, Honda and LG Energy Solution's $3.5 billion battery plant in Fayette County, and Ohio State University's planned $110 million software innovation center.

In addition to job creation tax credits and a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund, JobsOhio will provide substantial financial and workforce support for the project, with details to be finalized following agreements.

News
January 21, 2025

Defense Contractor to Build $5B Manufacturing Facility in Ohio

Caroline Raffetto
Construction Industry
Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Defense technology company Anduril Industries is set to construct a 5 million-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio, a project expected to create 4,000 jobs, state officials announced on Jan. 16.

Dubbed "Arsenal 1," the facility will occupy a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County, 16 miles southeast of Columbus. Construction is slated to begin after state and local approvals, with production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles starting in July 2026, according to Christian Brose, Anduril’s chief strategy officer.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called it the state’s largest single job creation and payroll project. “We are an aerospace state,” DeWine said, noting Ohio’s history in aviation, from the Wright brothers to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He also referred to Ohio as “the brains of the Air Force.”

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted highlighted Ohio’s competitive edge in attracting such projects, pointing to its skilled aerospace workforce, robust job training programs, and partnerships with colleges and universities. “Ohio has literally built a strategy around this kind of project, and so we are perfect for them,” Husted said.

The facility is part of Anduril’s mission to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military capabilities by scaling production with advanced software and manufacturing technologies.

The project complements Ohio's growing "silicon corridor," which includes Intel's $20 billion chip factory near Columbus, Honda and LG Energy Solution's $3.5 billion battery plant in Fayette County, and Ohio State University's planned $110 million software innovation center.

In addition to job creation tax credits and a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund, JobsOhio will provide substantial financial and workforce support for the project, with details to be finalized following agreements.