HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – During a press conference held on Tuesday, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced that they will construct a $6 billion state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Huntsville.
The pharmaceutical giant is building four sites in the United States, and Huntsville will become its third location. The other locations are housed in Houston, Texas, and Richmond, Virginia.
Eli Lilly is building this plant for several reasons. The company is in the process of “reshoring” its overseas production, bringing medication production back to US shores to have more control over the supply change, along with quality control, and to avoid steep tariffs on imports.
Officials say the site will be among those that will manufacture orforglipron, Lilly’s first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which the company expects to submit to global regulatory agencies for obesity by the end of this year.
“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. Today’s investment continues the onshoring of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, strengthening supply chain resilience and reliable access to medicines for patients in the U.S.”
Officials announced that the Greenbrier South, Huntsville, Alabama site was selected from more than 300 applications, “partly based on its proximity to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.”
Officials announced that the Greenbrier South, Huntsville, Alabama, site was selected from more than 300 applications(Eli Lilly)
Construction is set to begin on the facility in 2026 and is anticipated to bring 450 high-value jobs to the area as well as 3,000 construction positions. Completion is expected in 2032.
Overall, it’s part of Eli Lilly’s $50 billion investment in US Manufacturing.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, along with local and state government officials and community partners, attended the press conference.
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 ryn deep, and Alabama’s contributions to this burgeoning sector continue. 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.
Eli Lilly’s decision to invest $6 billion in a next-generation pharmaceutical manufacturing facility here in Huntsville is a tremendous vote of confidence in our people and our future. Huntsville has long been a place where innovation thrives and hard, ‘impossible’ things get done. We’re proud to welcome Lilly to our community and excited to help shape the next era of breakthrough medicine.
Today’s $6 billion Eli Lilly announcement – Alabama’s largest initial investment in state history – is a monumental win for Huntsville-Limestone County.
This world-class biopharmaceutical facility will be built right here in Limestone County, bringing 450 high-value manufacturing jobs and 3,000 construction positions to our community. For every dollar Lilly invests, up to four more dollars in economic activity will be generated throughout our county.
This investment validates Huntsville-Limestone County’s position as a premier location for advanced manufacturing and innovation. Our skilled workforce, strategic location, and proximity to key research partners like HudsonAlpha made us the right choice from more than 300 applications nationwide.
A panel discussion moderated by engineer, educator and former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, M.D. hosted numerous education and state leaders.
Panelists included:
- Calhoun Community College President Jimmy Hodges, ED.D.
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology President Neil Lamb
- Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair
- University of Alabama in Huntsville President Charles L. Karr, Ph.D.
- Eli Lilly and Company Chair and CEO Dave Ricks
A news release WAFF 48 News received said the development will “fuel the biopharma innovation in the Rocket City.”
The press conference and panel discussion were held at the Von Braun Center Mars Music Hall.
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