<body><div><p>Virginia’s business climate is being shaped by continued investment in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace and defense, technology and infrastructure. The Commonwealth offers an established industrial base, proximity to federal customers, a deep technology and engineering workforce, and a growing portfolio of business-ready sites.</p><p>At the same time, Virginia is reassessing how it accommodates one of its fastest-growing industries: data centers. The shift is particularly significant for companies evaluating large load projects, as power availability, infrastructure costs and regulatory requirements become increasingly important.</p><h2>Life Sciences Investment Reaches New Scale</h2><p>Virginia’s life sciences sector is moving into a new era with major pharmaceutical investments, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s role in advanced drug manufacturing. Over the past year, Eli Lilly, Merck and AstraZeneca announced a combined $12.5 billion of investment there.</p><p>Eli Lilly plans to invest $5 billion in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at West Creek Business Park in Goochland County, creating 650 jobs. The project is an expansion of Lilly’s original plans for a $2.148 billion facility and will produce critical drug components and finished medicines.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4CVxoq_1Gx7FqXw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4CVxoq_1Gx7FqXw00" width="600" height="315" ><figcaption>In October 2025, Merck broke ground on its Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Elkton, Virginia. (Photo: Copyright © 2025 Merck &amp; Co., Inc.)</figcaption></figure><p>In Rockingham County, Merck is investing $3 billion in a 400,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that will serve as a Center of Excellence for pharmaceutical ingredients and small-molecule manufacturing. The project is expected to create 500 jobs and builds on Merck’s nearly 85-year presence in the Shenandoah Valley.</p><p>AstraZeneca selected Albemarle County for a $4.5 billion investment to establish two manufacturing facilities focused on drug substances and antibody-drug conjugates. The projects are expected to create 600 direct jobs, including positions for engineers, scientists and process facilitators.</p><p>Since 2022, Virginia has made unprecedented investments in the biotechnology, life sciences, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, injecting $240 million for programs focused on research, innovation, physical infrastructure, and workforce development. Additionally, Virginia has invested in industrial site development through the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP).</p><p>Administered by VEDP, the program funds site characterization and improvements that can advance industrial properties toward higher readiness tiers, including infrastructure, due diligence and permitting coordination. In 2026, Virginia added another $50 million for VBRSP, while the program had 127 state-certified sites as of May.</p><h2>Aerospace &amp; Defense Expand</h2><p>Aerospace and defense represent another area of significant investment, supported by Virginia’s proximity to the federal government, military installations, shipbuilding capabilities and established defense contractors.</p><p>In April, L3Harris Technologies announced a $1.27 billion expansion of its manufacturing operations in Orange County. The company plans to construct new facilities supporting solid rocket motor production and expects the investment to create more than 350 highly skilled jobs.</p><p>The sector’s growth extends into emerging technologies. In May, Innovative Defense Technologies announced a $19 million expansion of its Arlington headquarters expected to create 210 jobs.</p><p>Scout Space is expanding its Fairfax County operations with an investment of more than $1 million, adding 2,650 square feet of manufacturing space in Merrifield and creating 31 new jobs. The Reston-based company develops sensor systems, autonomy software and data platforms for satellite systems and space operations. </p><p>Said Scout Space CEO Josiah Gruber, “This expansion reflects both the increasing demand for advanced space domain awareness capabilities and our commitment to building the technologies that enable safer, more dynamic operations in orbit. We’re proud to deepen our presence in Virginia and create high-quality jobs while advancing the future of space operations.”</p><h2>Workforce, Exports Programs Bolster Action</h2><p>Virginia combines a well-educated workforce with a range of workforce training and development programs that help employers recruit, train and retain talent. The state’s support extends from connecting students with employers to customized training for new and expanding companies, while programs such as VALET help Virginia businesses build their reach in international markets.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4gGswD_1Gx7FqXw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4gGswD_1Gx7FqXw00" width="600" height="323" ><figcaption>Governor Abigail Spanberger launched InternshipsVA, a statewide initiative backed by $14.5 million annually to help employers design and fund paid internships for higher education students. (Photo: Eric Futterman /VEDP)</figcaption></figure><p>InternshipsVA is a statewide program launched in February 2026 to help Virginia employers create or expand high-quality, paid internships for undergraduate students. The program provides technical assistance, recruitment support and matching grants covering 50% of intern wages for eligible small and midsize employers.</p><p>Early participation has been strong: more than 250 employers had applied for matching grants to create more than 600 internships by May, with more than $50,000 in matching funds disbursed.</p><blockquote><p>Listen Now: Aerospace &amp; Defense: What’s Driving Location Decisions?</p></blockquote><p>The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in partnership with the Virginia Community College System, provides customized recruitment and workforce training at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies. Services can include candidate recruitment, pre-employment experiences and job-specific training tailored to a company’s equipment, processes and operating requirements. Since its launch in 2019, the program has supported more than 22,000 jobs.</p><p>For Virginia companies looking beyond the domestic market, Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) provides a two-year program focused on expanding international sales. Participating companies receive assistance with international sales plans, market research, business meetings and connections with experienced international service providers. As of July, 453 companies had completed the program, with 53 companies participating in the current cohorts.</p></div></body>

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Virginia’s business climate is being shaped by continued investment in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace and defense, technology and infrastructure. The Commonwealth offers an established industrial base, proximity to federal customers, a deep technology and engineering workforce, and a growing portfolio of business-ready sites. At the same time, Virginia...

Virginia: Building For Growth

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Virginia’s business climate is being shaped by continued investment in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace and defense, technology and infrast

Virginia: Building For Growth

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