ELKTON, Va. — On October 20, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck has begun construction on a $3 billion, 400,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton.
The new site will serve as Merck’s Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Small Molecule Manufacturing, generating 500 new jobs in the Shenandoah Valley.
The expansion is part of Merck’s $70 billion global commitment to domestic research, development, and capital projects.
Expansion Details
The expansion builds on Merck’s 85-year history in the Shenandoah Valley, creating a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence that includes both active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product manufacturing.
This new center will support small-molecule manufacturing and testing and will operate alongside Merck’s existing Elkton facilities.
Merck’s transformational $3 billion commitment to locate its Center of Excellence marks a giant leap forward for both America’s and Virginia’s life sciences sector.
It deepens the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation and strengthens the Commonwealth’s position as the emerging national leader in biopharmaceutical advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
With hundreds of new jobs and cutting-edge capabilities coming to the Shenandoah Valley, we’re building a future where Virginians lead the way in developing lifesaving medicines for patients around the world.
Statement from US Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA)
Merck’s decision to significantly expand its Elkton operations is a testament to Virginia’s world-class workforce and business climate, and builds on recent federal and state investments to position the Commonwealth as a national leader in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production.
By bringing API manufacturing and the vast majority of its global small molecule production here, Merck is making a long-term investment in our economy while strengthening America’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
This expansion will create hundreds of good-paying jobs in the Shenandoah Valley and reaffirm Virginia’s leadership in the life sciences sector.
I’m also glad Merck will continue to produce in Elkton its cancer-preventing vaccine and other childhood vaccines at a time when political attacks and misinformation are undermining trust in medicine and public health – even as vaccines remain one of the most revolutionary, life-saving innovations in history.
Statement from US Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Merck’s $3 billion investment in Elkton is welcome news for Virginia’s economy, and is a testament to our incredible workforce and reputation as an exceptional hub for the manufacturing of life-saving medicines and vaccines.
It’s been a pleasure to work with Merck over the last 20 or so years to continue expanding this facility, and to have had the chance to visit with the Virginians whose hard work there plays an integral role in the health and well-being of Americans and people around the world.
The Gardasil vaccine has led to the drastic reduction of HPV cancers worldwide —and I’m proud to have included the vaccine as part of Virginia’s mandate when I was Governor, making Virginia the first state to do so.
Particularly as the Trump Administration sows doubt about the effectiveness of vaccines, it couldn’t be more important that we recognize and celebrate the impressive progress that Virginians and Merck have shared with the world.
Workforce Training and Development
Support for Merck’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.
Created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in collaboration with higher education partners, all services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.
Construction to support the expansion will begin this year and is expected to be completed by 2029.
Great news for our area.