- Merck has begun construction on a $3 billion, 400,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia.
- The investment will create over 500 full-time positions and 8,000 construction jobs, reinforcing Merck’s commitment to U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has broken ground on a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at its Elkton, Virginia site. The 400,000-square-foot Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing will expand the company’s small molecule manufacturing and testing capabilities.
The investment is part of Merck’s wider plan to deploy more than $70 billion starting in 2025 to strengthen domestic manufacturing and research and development. According to the company, the Virginia facility is expected to generate over 500 full-time jobs and approximately 8,000 construction roles once operational.
“Today is an important milestone for Merck, for Virginia, for manufacturing in the United States and, most importantly, for the patients we serve. 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.”
Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck
The Elkton expansion builds on Merck’s 85-year presence in the region and forms part of a broader national effort to reinforce the U.S. position in biopharmaceutical innovation. The company has announced nearly $6 billion in additional manufacturing investments this year across North Carolina, Delaware, Kansas, and Virginia, creating more than 1,600 new jobs.
Merck’s ongoing U.S. investments include vaccine and biologics facilities, as well as expansions in animal health and headquarters infrastructure. Together, these projects are projected to generate more than 48,000 construction-related jobs by 2029, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.
