Eli Lilly moves forward

 

During the afternoon session of its December 2 meeting the Goochland Board of Supervisors approved various items and resolutions for the Eli Lilly project.

County leaders on September 16 

On September 16, Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin announced that Eli Lilly will make a $5 billion investment in Goochland to build the company’s first integrated active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product plant. It will be built in the West Creek Business Park on a 227-acre parcel currently being used as a soccer complex. Construction is expected to begin early next year. West Creek was created more than 40 years ago to attract this kind of development.

The facility, whose completion is expected in the next five years, will bring 650 high-paying technical jobs to the county and 1,800 construction-related jobs to build it. For every dollar invested by Lilly, four dollars are expected to be generated in local economic activity.

Board Chair Tom Winfree, District 3, said the Lilly project is transformational for Goochland.

During the presentation of the Lilly items, Deputy County Administrator Sara Worley said that each manufacturing job will generate multiple other positions, including logistics and retail. The Lilly facility will employ highly skilled engineers, scientists, operations personnel, and lab technicians.

The supervisors approved a resolution requesting the Eli Lilly project be accepted into the Expedited Permitting Program under the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program run by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership

A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), which typically takes several months to complete, is a required part of site plan approval process. To expediate the site readiness and recruit Eli Lilly, Goochland County agreed to contract with an engineering firm to perform the TIA.  At its October 15, 2025, meeting, the Goochland County Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted to approve funding to execute a contract to begin the TIA. This will allow Lilly to start the TIA process and remain in the desired timeframe for the construction of their facility.  The supervisors approved a transfer of $156,640 from the General Fund to the EDA for this purpose.

Worley explained that economic incentives for the Lilly  project are based on a performance agreement, which “ specifies that Eli Lilly, in connection with the construction, equipping, and operation of the Facility, will invest at least Two Billion One Hundred Forty Eight Million, Seven Hundred Ninety Three Thousand Nineteen and 00/100 Dollars ($2,148,793,019.00) of which approximately Eight Hundred Twelve Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine and 00/100 Dollars ($812,767,229.00) will be invested in machinery & tools, and at least One Billion Three Hundred Thirty Six Million Twenty Five Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety and 00/100 Dollars ($1,336,025,790.00) will be invested in the construction and upfits of new buildings.” 

 

Worley said that “the incentive will provide tax reimbursements of up to Forty-Five Million, Eight Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 00/100 Dollars ($45,864,691.00) over twenty years. She noted that the tax reimbursements are from increased tax revenue generated by Lilly, no existing tax revenue will be rebated as these are tax dollars that would not exist without the Lilly investment. The reimbursements will continue until the first of $45 million is rebated or 20 years elapses. “At the end of 20 years, the county will have received at least $100 million in direct tax revenue in addition to spin off benefits including job creation and related industry locations and expansion in Goochland.”

The tax reimbursements are as follows: 45% of incremental real estate taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the prior calendar year that are over and above the real estate taxes assessed at the value of the Project Site as of January 1, 2027.  • 45% of the business personal property taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the prior calendar year (excluding vehicles). • 55% of the machinery and tools taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the machinery and tools for the prior calendar year.”

Worley confirmed that neither the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) ad-valorem tax nor the 55% revenue sharing portion of the base real-estate tax used to service the TCSD debt will be rebated. This will accelerate the demise of the dreaded ad valorem tax.

The Commonwealth of Virginia was deeply involved in attracting Lilly to Goochland. Creation of a workforce program in the community college system, helping Lilly recruit, and adding $10 million to support CTE programs, including Goochland’s excellent one, was part of the package.

Winfree pointed out that the incentives are based on a $2.1 billion investment, but the actual number is $5 billion. He contended that the county would keep all revenues generated over the lower figure.

In addition to expressing gratitude for the state support, Winfree commended Worley and staff and others who worked hard to bring Lilly to Goochland.

Go to chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1511&Inline=True beginning on page 101 to read the agreement.

 

Dominion West Creek project

On December 4 Dominion Energy held a community meeting at the Residence Inn at the Notch to gather input about routes for a new double circuit 230kv transmission line, a new West Creek substation. The new line is needed to ease the load on the local distribution network serving Goochland County, support the Lilly project, and maintain reliable electric service. Two representatives from Lilly joined many knowledgeable Dominion employees who fielded many questions.

There were two sessions, one from 1-3 and the second beginning at 5 p.m. At least 100 interested parties reportedly visited in the afternoon. Attendance was also robust at the later session.

Dominion Energy rep (r) explains project to concerned citizens

Displays around the room included photos of exiting conditions and how they would look after the lines were installed. There was a display outlining the permitting process, which included approval from the State Corporation Commission, which has regulatory authority over all energy providers in Virginia. The SCC validates the need for the proposed line and approves the route and structures needed to support the power lines that move the electrons. The SCC considers whether potential impacts on scenic assets, historic districts, and the environment have been minimized. A timeline of the approval process estimated approval in the summer of 2026 with completion of construction in winter of 2028.

The new line plans to use 120-foot-tall monopoles located in 100-foot rights-of-way. Photo simulations include before and after elevations of different sites along possible routes. Several people complained that the photos used in the simulations were taken when the leaves were on the trees and did not portray a “worst case” view of the proposed power lines.

Power line support structures to move electrons

The study area encompasses most of West Creek from Rt.  6 to just north of I-64. Go to https://www.dominionenergy.com/westcreek to explore the route maps and photo simulations.

Possible routes to connect power transmission lines to a new proposed West Creek substatio, illustrated as being on the east side of Rt.  288 a bit south of the Lilly site, on land now vacant and wooded, pretty much hug 288 or run through undeveloped land east of 288.

Dominion allegedly would like feedback about the project, but the mechanism to do so on the website is so cumbersome that it defeats the purpose.