Merck has begun construction of a $3 billion, 400,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at its Elkton, VA site.

Merck’s investment in the Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing is part of a more than $70 billion investment beginning in 2025 to expand domestic manufacturing and research and development to drive its long-term growth strategy.

“Today is an important milestone for Merck, for Virginia, for manufacturing in the United States and, most importantly, for the patients we serve,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and CEO, Merck. “This investment helps advance our goal of providing new, innovative treatment options for people facing serious health challenges in the U.S. and around the world.”

The $3 billion expansion enhances the site with a pharmaceutical Center of Excellence that will include both Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Drug Product investment supporting small molecule manufacturing and testing and will potentially create more than 500 full-time roles as well as 8,000 construction jobs.

This year alone, Merck has announced nearly $6 billion in manufacturing investments across North Carolina, Delaware, Kansas and Virginia that are anticipated to create more than 1,600 new American jobs. Other global pharma companies increasing their investments in U.S. operations include Sanofi, Gilead, Roche and Lilly.