LEBANON, Ind. — Eli Lilly and Company announced it has more than doubled its investment in its Lebanon manufacturing site.
The new $5.3 billion commitment increases the company's total investment in the site from $3.7 billion to $9 billion.
The expansion will enhance Lilly's capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for Zepbound and Mounjaro injections so more adults with chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes can benefit from these treatments.
"Lilly continues to play a transformational role in shaping Indiana's opportunity economy, and I couldn't be more proud about their pole position leadership in developing the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon, Indiana. Lilly has long been driving global innovation and economic growth that will be felt for decades here at home," Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said. "As an international company, headquartered in Indiana, Lilly had a world of options to consider before making this investment, and choosing Indiana once again reinforces the incredible environment we've cultivated and the talented workforce we have to carry Lilly's success forward. I can't wait to see the incredible benefits this investment leads to for patients around the world, knowing they were made in Indiana."
The additional investment in the Lebanon site, which is located within Indiana's LEAP Research and Innovation District, will add 200 full-time jobs for workers such as engineers, scientists, operating personnel and lab technicians. The facility will have an estimated 900 full-time employees when it's fully operational.
There will also be more than 5,000 construction jobs during the site's development.
"I think if they do it in the right way, it will be good," Rosie Holloman said.
"We're just an old farm town," said Dan Creech, who owns The Cuppard, a restaurant just inside a drug store.
Creech said he hears concerns from customers about the farmland sold so companies like Lilly can set up in the LEAP District.
"At the end of the day, it's up to the owner what they want to do with their land," Creech said. "With our community being right off the interstate here, we're a good location for these big companies to come in."
It's a delicate balance, between growing and holding on to the tight-knit community that exists here now.
Lebanon City officials said they know Lilly's growing investment in the LEAP District means changes and growth in housing, infrastructure and emergency services. They said they've already started working on a plan so the city can be ready for that growth.
"We've been preparing for it and upgrading our facilities and systems, roads, utilities and all that good stuff," said Ben Bontrager, with the City of Lebanon.
The city's also updating its comprehensive plan of where Lebanon is headed in the future.
Workers broke ground at the Lebanon manufacturing site in 2023.
The company expects to begin making medicines in Lebanon toward the end of 2026, with operations scaling up through 2028.
To see a full list of road and rail improvements planned for the area surrounding the site, click here.