(The Center Square) – Ohio plans a combination of state and local tax credits and incentives for a defense contractor that promises more than 4,000 direct jobs to central Ohio.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced early Thursday morning Anduril Industries plans the largest single job creation and new payroll project in the state’s history near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County.
A news conference was planned for Thursday morning to officially announce the 5 million-square-foot facility, which officials project will add nearly $1 billion to Ohio’s gross domestic product.
It includes a $9 million capital investment and projects 8,500 direct and indirect jobs in the next 10 years.
“Ohio’s history of advancing aviation, aerospace, and national defense runs deep, but what sets this state apart is our readiness to embrace the future,” DeWine said. “At this critical moment in time, our country needs rapid technological innovation, which Anduril will deliver using Ohio’s skilled, hardworking labor force.”
The company is expected to receive a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development and $70 million from the All Ohio Future Fund. JobsOhio will also give Anduril a grant in an amount disclosed later and help with talent acquisition services.
The build-out of the facility is planned to begin immediately after state and local approvals. Manufacturing is expected to start in July 2026.
The California-based defense technology company wants to rebuild the U.S. military’s arsenal of weapons and platforms and plans to be at full strength by 2035. In August, the company announced $1.5 billion in funding to open the manufacturing facility.
Officials say Arsenal-1 in Ohio will be the first manufacturing facility equipped to produce tens of thousands of autonomous weapons systems.
“Arsenal-1 represents a significant step forward in how we build the autonomous systems and weapons our nation and allies need, leveraging Ohio’s world-class workforce, robust infrastructure, and scalable, software-driven manufacturing to set a new standard for securing the future of defense,” Anduril Industries CEO Brian Schimpf said. “We are ready to break ground and get to work building the capabilities that will strengthen America’s industrial base and national security for years to come.”
