Governor Glenn Youngkin, Albemarle County, and AstraZeneca announced a $4.5 billion investment to develop a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Albemarle County, creating approximately 600 high-quality jobs. The facility will support the enhanced manufacturing capability of a broad range of medicines, including cancer treatments. 

The project will be located on Albemarle County’s Rivanna Futures site in the northern portion of the county. The facilities will include manufacturing, office, and warehouse space and are expected to create highly skilled jobs, including engineers, scientists, and process facilitators. 

“This investment is a transformative moment for Albemarle County,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Andrews. “It reflects the forward-thinking and commitment of our Board, staff, and partners who have worked to make Albemarle County ready for opportunity. AstraZeneca will create well-paying jobs for our residents, bolster the biotechnology sector in our region, and generate ongoing revenue for our local schools, public safety, and community services. This is exactly the type of growth envisioned in our Economic Development Strategic Plan.” 

The project announcement is aligned with Albemarle County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, which was adopted in August 2025 and identifies biotechnology and life sciences, national security, and agribusiness as key industries for a balanced economy. 

The Rivanna Futures site was acquired by Albemarle County in 2023 to attract a compatible neighbor for Rivanna Station and support the growth of the local economy. 

“This project demonstrates the results of preparation and partnership,” said Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson. “By investing in Rivanna Futures and collaborating with partners, Albemarle County was ready when opportunity arrived. The outcome is a high-impact project that supports our residents, our local economy, and our goals for balanced growth.” 

Albemarle County partnered with the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, GO Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Transportation, to prepare the Rivanna Futures site. The site previously received a $9.7 million grant from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. This matching grant program supports infrastructure improvements in partnership with localities, utilities, and state agencies to ensure sites across the Commonwealth are ready for employers seeking to grow or locate in Virginia

"We appreciate the strong partnership with the Commonwealth in preparing Rivanna Futures for this opportunity," added Economic Development Director Emily Kilroy. "Their investment and collaboration demonstrate how teamwork makes transformative projects possible.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Albemarle County and the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission to secure these projects for Virginia. AstraZeneca will be eligible to receive an MEI Commission-approved special appropriation of up to $191.3 million based on an investment of $4 billion and the creation of 500 jobs for the drug substance manufacturing facility focused on chronic diseases, subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly. The facility dedicated to antibody-drug conjugates will be eligible for a grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund.

Learn more:

From Governor Youngkin

From AstraZeneca