NS rail spurs innovation in Alabama’s biotech sector

Courtesy of artist rendering from Eli Lilly.

$6 Billion Eli Lilly facility ushers in new era for Huntsville.

Dec 09, 2025

By Katelyn Byrd, Assistant Director of Executive Communications

A Norfolk Southern-served site will soon be home to Eli Lilly and Company’s new $6 billion advanced manufacturing campus in Huntsville, Alabama – a landmark investment for the state’s bioscience sector and a major win for the region’s economy.

Based in Indianapolis, Lilly has operations in more than 110 countries and 40,000 employees spanning the globe. The company is a leader in treatments involving diabetes, obesity, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience and is seeking to bolster its capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredient production for its highest priority therapies. The site will be part of deepening U.S. expertise in advanced chemical synthesis and setting new standards for sustainable manufacturing, the company said.

Courtesy of artist rendering from Eli Lilly.

“We’re honored to support Eli Lilly’s vision for next-generation medicine manufacturing in Huntsville,” said Craig Hudson, Group Vice President of Industrial Development. “We invested in a dedicated rail spur to help deliver critical raw materials and finished products, strengthening supply chain resilience and expanding access to life-changing medicines. This project marks a milestone for rail in the biotechnology space, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Why it matters

The Huntsville site will be a synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient facility, the third of four new U.S. sites Lilly plans to announce, and will produce small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines.

• Direct Norfolk Southern rail service made Huntsville a top contender for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• The multi-building campus will span over 1 million square feet, supporting manufacturing, logistics, packaging, lab, and utilities operations.
• The project will create 450 permanent jobs and generate 3,000 construction jobs, fueling long-term economic growth across North Alabama.
• The facility will manufacture orforglipron, Lilly’s first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, and other next-generation medicines.

By the Numbers

• Investment: $6 billion
• Campus size: 1+ million sq. ft.
• Jobs: 450 permanent, 3,000 construction
• Timeline: construction begins 2026; completion slated for 2032

In their words

Customers and partners are celebrating the announcement:

• “Huntsville’s track record of science and innovation makes Alabama an ideal location for Lilly to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for next-generation medicines.” – David A. Ricks, Lilly Chair and CEO
• “We’re proud to welcome Lilly’s new U.S. manufacturing facility, which is the largest initial investment in our state’s history.” – Gov. Kay Ivey

• “Lilly’s announcement emphasizes Alabama’s reputation as a global leader in biotechnology.” – Ellen McNair, Alabama Department of Commerce
• “Huntsville continues to be a smart place for meaningful careers in all of our targeted industries.” – Lucia Cape, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce

The bottom line

Norfolk Southern’s rail network and site development expertise helped secure this investment for Alabama—fueling job creation, strengthening the bioscience ecosystem, and supporting Eli Lilly’s long-term success.

Learn more about how Norfolk Southern supports site selection and industrial growth.

Katie Byrd leads external communications for Norfolk Southern in the areas of Executive Comms, Commercial and Strategic Planning. She joined NS in 2022, bringing nearly 10 years of strategic communications expertise.