Eli Lilly selected Huntsville, Alabama, as the site for a $6 billion active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) plant focused on peptide and small‑molecule medicines, including the oral GLP‑1 candidate orforglipron. The company said construction will begin in 2026 with an expected 2032 completion, creating about 450 permanent roles and thousands of construction jobs. Lilly’s announcement forms part of a broader $27 billion U.S. manufacturing expansion that includes multiple mega‑sites to onshore API production and strengthen supply‑chain resilience. Lilly cited proximity to HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology for workforce and training synergies. CEO David Ricks framed the project as part of a national push to localize critical drug manufacturing. The investment underscores Big Pharma’s race to secure capacity for higher‑margin obesity therapies and aligns with competitive pressures from Novo Nordisk and others; regulators and state governments are expected to monitor environmental and workforce development impacts as construction plans advance.