On Friday, Jan. 30, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company announced it will build a $3.5 billion injectable medicine operation — its first facility in Pennsylvania — in Fogelsville, Lehigh County. Electric service to the facility will be powered by PPL Electric Utilities. The investment is the largest life sciences investment in the history of Pennsylvania, and the largest investment of any kind in the history of the Lehigh Valley.  

The Fogelsville site was one of four chosen nationwide out of 300 total applicants. The site selection process was competitive; Eli Lilly could have picked anywhere in the world to build its operations, but it chose our backyard, thanks in part to the capabilities of PPL Electric. 

Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks announcing a $3.5 billion investment in a new facility in the Lehigh Valley, where construction is expected to begin in 2026.

Communities may not always see us at work, but we are the energy backbone that allows businesses to grow and neighborhoods to thrive. There’s no denying that a reliable electric system is an economic asset. 

Service you can trust 

Companies expanding or investing in our territory depend on uninterrupted service, and they choose regions where the infrastructure can keep up with the pace of their businesses.  

We have invested over $13 billion in our system since 2013, with nearly $7 billion more planned through 2028. These investments include automating our grid and replacing aging equipment with stronger poles and wires to ensure improved reliability for all customers. 

We have streamlined our interconnection process to be one of the fastest in the industry. We provide businesses with high-level estimates in under 10 days, feasibility reports in a matter of weeks — not months — and often start construction in 6-12 months, pending regulatory approvals. This helps projects stay on schedule and give our service territory an advantage in economic development. 

During the site selection, Eli Lilly was specifically looking for a region that could offer speed to market. Because of PPL Electric’s commitment to interconnection, more than 2,000 construction jobs and 850 permanent, full-time jobs are coming to our region. 

Bringing life to life sciences 

The Eli Lilly announcement is the latest in a string of life science investments in our service territory. 

In December 2025, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories unveiled a $147.5 million investment that will expand company operations in Lancaster County, creating 250 jobs and retaining over 3,000 more. And in October 2024, biopharma company GSK announced an investment of up to $800 million in Lancaster County, creating more than 200 jobs. 

Powering the future 

The desire for growth is on the rise in our region. Our location, abundant resources, strong reliability and streamlined interconnection process make Eastern and Central Pennsylvania an attractive destination for investment. We continue to invest in our system — not just for today, but for decades to come. 

We are ready to power your business, too. For more, visit pplelectric.com/EconomicDevelopment.