With $6B Eli Lilly facility coming, Huntsville is launching its way to biopharma prominence

HUNTSVILLE — With an aim to make the incurable curable, Huntsville may become the epicenter of biopharma production within the next decade.

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced plans Tuesday to invest more than $6 billion in a manufacturing facility in the Greenbriar area of Huntsville in Limestone County.

“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,”  said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “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.”  

Construction on the facility – the single-largest initial investment in Alabama history – is slated to begin next year. The next-generation synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility will produce small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines.

Importantly, 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.

Lilly will bring 450 high-value jobs to the area, including engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians.

“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,” said Lilly Chair and CEO David A. Ricks, Lilly. “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.”

Construction, expected to begin in 2026, is anticipated to generate 3,000 construction jobs as the state-of-the-art facility is built, he said. And the plant should be operating in 48 months.

“Around year 2, it will look like a plant,” Ricks said. “The third year will be the interior and automation and the fourth year will be testing products.”

Expanding Lilly’s U.S. manufacturing presence in Alabama will boost the Huntsville economy. For every dollar Lilly invests there, it estimates up to $4 in additional local economic activity – meaning the $6 billion facility will have an economic impact of $24 billion, he said.

Also, for each manufacturing job created, several more will be generated in related sectors like supply chain, logistics and retail.

The announcement was made during a panel discussion hosted by Gov. Kay Ivey in Mars Music Hall in Huntsville. It was moderated by Decatur native and former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison. Joining Ricks on the panel were Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, University of Alabama in Huntsville President Charles Karr, Calhoun Community College President Jimmy Hodges, and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology President Neil Lamb.

Saying it was a “hard fought battle” to win the project, Ivey cited the area’s legacy of innovation.

“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,” said Ivey. “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.

“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 well-being of people all around the country and globe.”

The Greenbrier South site was selected from more than 300 applications. In addition to its workforce potential, the site offers ready access to utilities, transportation and favorable zoning and incentives, Ricks said.

“Today’s $6 billion Eli Lilly announcement – Alabama’s largest initial investment in state history – is a monumental win for Huntsville-Limestone County,” said Limestone County Economic Development Association President & CEO Bethany Shockney. “This investment validates Huntsville-Limestone County’s position as a premier location for advanced manufacturing and innovation.”

Lilly plans to use state-of-the-art technologies, including machine learning, AI, digitally integrated monitoring systems and advanced data analytics to drive right-first-time execution. Digital automation will be embedded throughout the site to streamline operations and ensure a reliable supply of safe, high-quality medicines.

“The jobs and investment that Lilly is making in Limestone County will have a positive  impact for generations of our residents,” said Limestone County Commission Chairman  Collin Daly. “This project is a big win for the whole region, and we look forward to working  with the city of Huntsville to make it a success.” 

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and the plant should be operating in 48 months, Ricks said.

“Around year 2, it will look like a plant,” he said. “The third year will be the interior and automation and the fourth year will be testing products.”

The panelists also cited the collaboration among the state, counties, cities and universities and schools on various projects and the ability to tailor their programs to industries’ needs.

“Today’s announcement is the result of years of preparation in our life sciences sector with  our partners at the city, the state, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, our schools  and universities, and the community as a whole that has embraced biotech the way we  embraced space exploration,” said Lucia Cape, senior vice president of economic development & workforce for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. “Huntsville continues to be a smart place for meaningful careers in all of our targeted industries.”