(The Center Square) – While much of Washington remains shut down, Virginia just pulled off one of the largest private investments in state history.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that AstraZeneca will officially invest $4.5 billion to build two new manufacturing facilities in Albemarle County.
The project is expected to create about 3,600 direct and indirect jobs.
The deal had been in the works for months, but Friday’s White House event pushed the Charlottesville region project into the national spotlight.
President Donald Trump highlighted AstraZeneca’s broader $50 billion U.S. expansion during his remarks, calling it part of a push to lower drug prices and bring critical manufacturing back home.
The Albemarle site, located at the Rivanna Futures industrial park, will produce new cancer and metabolic medicines using advanced automation and data analytics.
AstraZeneca said the facility will support its next generation of antibody-drug conjugates and other life-saving therapies.
Youngkin said in a statement the company’s $4.5 billion investment is the largest single manufacturing investment in the company’s history and a milestone for American drug manufacturing.
“The investment is set to create 600 high-paying jobs in Albemarle County, strengthening America’s ability to produce lifesaving medicines right here in Virginia,” Youngkin said. “It took just 33 days from our first conversation to partnering on this project — that’s moving at Virginia speed. There is a true business renaissance happening in Virginia, and I want to thank Pascal and the entire AstraZeneca team for choosing to invest in Virginia and for trusting the commonwealth as a partner in the future of a world-class company.”
To secure the project, Virginia approved $9.7 million through the Business Ready Sites Program for site preparation.
Customized training through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program will support the project.
Construction is already underway, with operations expected to begin within four to five years, according to the White House.
The company said the facility will employ engineers, scientists and advanced manufacturing specialists.
State officials say the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program will partner with the University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia Community College to train workers for those positions.
As previously reported by The Center Square, AstraZeneca’s investment follows Eli Lilly’s $5 billion expansion in Goochland County, announced earlier this year. Both projects represent significant pharmaceutical investments announced in Virginia this year.
Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s chief executive officer, said the investment reflects the company’s confidence in Virginia and in U.S. manufacturing.
“With our $4.5 billion investment in Virginia, the largest in AstraZeneca’s history, we are not only building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, but also driving life sciences innovation and economic growth,” Soriot said.
The timing, however, is what stands out most.
With federal employees furloughed, Virginia’s latest deal underscores how state-led economic efforts are continuing despite the gridlock in Washington.
