Eli Lilly and Company has officially broken ground on its new $4.5 billion Medicine Foundry in Lebanon, a transformative project that is poised to become a cornerstone of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States. The state-of-the-art facility will not only strengthen domestic medicine production but also serve as a powerful economic driver for Boone County, creating 400 high-skill jobs and significant opportunities for local businesses.
Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The groundbreaking of Eli Lilly’s Medicine Foundry marks a transformative moment for Lebanon and American manufacturing. With a $4.5 billion investment, this facility will create 400 high-skill jobs. The Medicine Foundry will not only deliver high-quality jobs but also provide opportunities for local small businesses, including contractors, caterers, and service providers, ensuring that our entire community thrives into the future. This facility bolsters our nation’s ability to produce critical medicines domestically, reflecting the values of hard work and independence that define our community and state.”
Governor Braun emphasized the impact of the project, saying, “This place is going to celebrate 150 years next year. Hardly ever does a business stay relevant that long, and hardly ever would you be at the tail end of that spread and arguably at the most auspicious point in the company’s history. Your success is Indiana’s success. Today’s groundbreaking is a payoff of a lot of hard work. Not only is bringing pharmaceutical production back to the U.S. good for our country, it’s good for patients and consumers as well, bringing new medicine to clinical trials two months faster than current industry benchmarks.”
The Medicine Foundry’s impact extends beyond job creation. During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate thousands of additional jobs, ranging from construction to specialized trades. Additionally, Eli Lilly has committed to leveraging local talent by offering employment opportunities to students who achieve the Employment Honors Plus seal on their high school diploma, providing a direct pathway to high-paying careers.
“Indiana is proud to lead the domestic medicine manufacturing revolution,” said Governor Braun. “We’re organizing our state government to be in an opportunistic place to supply that workforce, and the Medicine Foundry will be a major win for Hoosiers, our universities, and ultimately America’s health and supply chain security.”
As construction begins, the Medicine Foundry is set to position Lebanon as a critical hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, and development, reinforcing Indiana’s reputation as a leader in life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
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- Mayor John Stehr
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- Andrea Kern and Governor Braun
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- Groundbreaking for the Foundry
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- Andrea Kern, Councilman Mike Kincaid and Commissioner Donnie Lawson
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- Andrea Kern, Katie Reasoner, County Council President Jennifer Hostetter and County Council Vice President Shari Richey