FOGELSVILLE, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania officials joined business leaders in the Lehigh Valley to break ground on a massive economic development project Thursday.
Eli Lilly and Co. is building a new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant near Allentown.
It is a $3.5 billion project that state officials say will create at least 850 permanent new jobs and support about 2,000 construction jobs.
Pennsylvania is pitching in a $100 million investment through a combination of grants and tax credits.
Photo Courtesy / Commonwealth Media Services 
Photo Courtesy / Commonwealth Media Services
“Lilly’s investment is a tremendous win for Pennsylvania and a clear example of what happens when we compete aggressively, work collaboratively, and make it easier for businesses to invest and grow,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger. “This $3.5 billion investment by Lilly will create at least 850 new jobs, strengthen our life sciences sector, and bring new opportunities to families across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. We look forward to building on this partnership and bringing even more opportunities to communities across the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was on hand for the ribbon-cutting as well, calling it a “historic milestone in Pennsylvania’s thriving life sciences sector
“This is the largest economic development project in Lehigh Valley history, and it wouldn’t have happened without Lilly’s commitment to make products in the U.S. and the Shapiro Administration’s aggressive efforts for Pennsylvania to compete,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. “It ushers in a new era of manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley, adding the production of medicines to the region’s rich history of producing goods and products for the U.S. and the world.”
“Lilly’s $3.5 billion investment in the Lehigh Valley is another major win for Pennsylvania, bringing 850 high-paying jobs, strengthening American manufacturing, and cementing the Commonwealth’s position as a leader in life sciences,” said U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. “When I talk about building a pro-growth environment in Pennsylvania, this is the type of investment I am working to attract.”
The new plant is just outside Fogeslville in Upper Macungie Township and marks Lilly’s entry into Pennsylvania.
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State officials are backing the project through up to $50 million in tax credits through the PA Edge Tax Credit Program, a $25 million PA SITES grant, and a $25 million Pennsylvania First grant.
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