Alabama is set to secure the largest single initial investment in its history after Governor Kay Ivey announced that global pharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company will build a $6 billion advanced manufacturing campus in Huntsville. The multinational firm plans to produce next-generation medicines at the site and hire 450 full-time employees, including engineers, scientists, operations specialists, and lab technicians.
The new location will operate as a synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility—one of four new U.S. sites Lilly is developing—and will play a major role in producing small-molecule and peptide-based therapies. It will also be among the facilities manufacturing orforglipron, Lilly’s first oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which the company expects to submit for global obesity-related regulatory approval by year’s end.
Governor Ivey emphasized Alabama’s longstanding strength in innovation and bioscience, saying, “Huntsville and our entire state have a proven legacy of innovation, and there is no better home for Lilly than right here in Alabama. Our roots in the biosciences industry run deep, and Alabama’s contributions to this burgeoning sector continue.”
She added that the state is proud to welcome the record-setting project, noting, “We are proud to welcome Lilly’s new U.S. manufacturing facility, which we are thrilled is the largest initial investment in our state’s history.”
Governor Ivey highlighted the transformational potential of the project for both the company and the state’s workforce: “No doubt, Alabamians will help Lilly do things that have never been done before, and we will ensure this great company achieves their mission of improving the health and wellbeing of people all around the country and globe.”
Massive Construction and Workforce Impact
Construction will begin in 2026 and is projected to finish in 2032. Beyond the 450 long-term jobs, the construction phase will generate an estimated 3,000 additional jobs, providing a significant economic boost to the region over several years.
Lilly chair and CEO David A. Ricks praised the Huntsville area’s expertise and talent pool, stating, “Huntsville’s track record of science and innovation, supported by advanced manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce, makes Alabama an ideal location for Lilly to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for next-generation medicines.”
He added that the investment is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen medical supply chain resilience: “Today’s investment continues the onshoring of active pharmaceutical ingredient production, strengthening supply chain resilience and reliable access to medicines for patients in the U.S.”
Advanced Technologies and Sustainable Manufacturing
At the Huntsville campus, Lilly plans to implement cutting-edge digital and automation-based processes. These include:
- Machine learning and AI-driven systems
- Digitally integrated monitoring
- Advanced data analytics
- Fully automated operational workflows
The facility is expected to help set new national standards for sustainable manufacturing and advanced chemical synthesis.
A Major Win for Alabama’s Bioscience Sector
Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair emphasized the competitiveness of landing such a project. “The competition for a manufacturing facility of this magnitude is extremely challenging, and this result shows Alabama’s pro-business climate, outstanding workforce and strong community support is a winning combination,” she said.
Alabama’s bioscience ecosystem generates an estimated $7.3 billion in annual economic impact. More than 1,800 bioscience companies operate in the state, employing over 15,000 people.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle called the announcement a testament to the city’s innovation-forward identity. “Huntsville has long been a place where innovation thrives and hard, ‘impossible’ things get done,” he said. “We’re proud to welcome Lilly to our community and excited to help shape the next era of breakthrough medicine.”
Why Huntsville Was Selected
Lilly chose the Greenbrier South site from more than 300 competing applications. Key advantages included:
- Proximity to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
- A robust labor pipeline supported by schools, universities, and industry partners
- Strong utility and transportation access
- Supportive zoning and incentive programs
The company’s planned 260-acre campus, located off Interstate 565, will include multiple buildings dedicated to manufacturing, logistics, packaging, laboratory functions, and essential utilities.
Lucia Cape, senior vice president of Economic Development & Workforce at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, noted the years of preparation behind the deal. “Today’s announcement is the result of years of preparation in our life sciences sector with our partners at the city, state, HudsonAlpha, our schools and universities, and the community as a whole that has embraced biotech the way we embraced space exploration,” she said. “Huntsville continues to be a smart place for meaningful careers in all of our targeted industries.”
Broader Economic Ripple Effect
Lilly projects that every dollar invested in the project could generate up to $4 in additional economic activity for the region. The manufacturing facility is also expected to support additional job growth in supply-chain, logistics, retail, and other industries.
The Tennessee Valley Authority will also support the project. “We’re proud to partner with local leaders to bring quality jobs and long-term value to communities across our region,” said TVA President & CEO Don Moul. “Together, we’re building a stronger future – one that ensures families can thrive, businesses can grow and the Tennessee Valley continues to lead.”
With construction set to begin soon, Alabama is preparing for a multiyear development that will further cement the state as a national leader in bioscience, high-tech manufacturing, and advanced pharmaceutical production.
Originally reported by Kay Ivey, The Office Of Alabama Governor.
