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Merck breaks ground on $3B manufacturing plant in Virginia
White House Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro told ‘Mornings with Maria’ that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will cut U.S. reliance on China, rebuild supply chains and protect national security through tough trade policy.
Merck on Monday announced the groundbreaking of its new Virginia pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, a cornerstone of the company’s $70 billion U.S. investment strategy.
The 400,000-square-foot site in Elkton, Virginia, is expected to create 500 full-time positions once operational and generate roughly 8,000 construction jobs during development.
As one of the largest pharmaceutical investments of President Donald Trump’s second term, Merck’s push comes as the administration is prioritizing making pharmaceuticals domestically and reducing dependence on foreign drug production.
“We always will work with the U.S. administration to make sure that we remain, in America, a prime leader in innovation,” Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president of Merck’s manufacturing division told FOX Business. “At the same time, do the best we can for our customers through investment in U. S. manufacturing.”
ELI LILLY TO INVEST $5B IN VIRGINIA PLANT AMID TRUMP’S PHARMA TARIFF THREATS
A scientist uses a microscope in a lab. (iStock)
The new plant will expand U.S. production of vaccines and critical medicines, including active pharmaceutical ingredients and new small-molecule manufacturing and testing capacity. Merck executives say the site will serve as a key hub for next-generation therapeutics beyond the company’s well-established oncology and vaccine portfolio.
Merck CEO Robert Davis called the groundbreaking “an important milestone for Merck, for Virginia, for manufacturing in the United States and, most importantly, for the patients we serve.” He said the investment “helps advance our goal of providing new, innovative treatment options for people facing serious health challenges in the U.S. and around the world.”
The announcement coincides with the White House’s renewed “Made in America” pharmaceutical push.
TRUMP BRINGS KEY PRESCRIPTION DRUG HOME TO US IN SWEEPING WALMART DEAL
“The pharmaceuticals are coming back,” Trump told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures.” “China has been eating our lunch. Now, 90% of the pharmaceuticals that we need, underlying components, are made in China.”
Trump added that new tariffs are helping drive production back to U.S. soil.
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on Oct. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Getty Images)
“I’m putting tariffs on pharmaceuticals, unless they’re made here, they’re all coming back,” Trump said.
The Elkton expansion marks Merck’s fourth major U.S. manufacturing project this year, with similar facilities under construction in Delaware, North Carolina and Kansas.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON INVESTING $2B IN US MANUFACTURING, CREATING NEW JOBS
Together, Merck’s expansion plan is expected to create more than 48,000 construction-related jobs by 2029.
Between now and 2028, Merck anticipates most construction will be completed, with manufacturing beginning in 2029 and supply operations launching in 2030, according to Dave Moraldo, Merck’s senior vice president of human health manufacturing.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRK | MERCK & CO. INC. | 84.79 | +0.87 | +1.04% |
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“We’re continuing to look forward to partnering with the Trump administration around policy that promotes and fosters and protects innovation while continuing to position the U.S. pharmaceutical industry as a center of biopharmaceutical innovation,” Moraldo told FOX Business.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the move as “a monumental step forward for Virginia’s life-sciences sector,” saying it solidifies the state’s role as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and healthcare innovation.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
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MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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