Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, a global health care leader, will invest $168 million to expand its manufacturing operation near the Town of Elkton in Rockingham County, Virginia.

Over a period of time, Merck will upgrade plant infrastructure, add manufacturing-related facilities and equipment, and undertake a personnel training initiative to support the bioprocessing environment.

“Merck began operations in Elkton in 1941,” said Brandon Brega, Associate Vice President and Elkton Plant Manager, Merck Manufacturing Division. “Now, nearly 75 years later, we are proud to be building on the strong roots we have established in Elkton, knowing that our operations here play an important role in enabling Merck to fulfill its mission of helping the world be well by bringing our innovative, high-quality medicines to more patients around the world.”

Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockingham County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $1.3 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. Funding and services to support the company’s employee retraining activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. “Virginia is proud to be a partner to this extraordinary leader in the biopharmaceutical industry. We welcome this important project, which will enhance Merck’s position on our corporate roster and expand the contributions they make to the economy of this important region and our entire state,” Governor Terry McAuliffe said.

“This expansion in Rockingham County is a wonderful testament to the great assets in the Shenandoah Valley and the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Merck is keeping its business competitive by making an investment to upgrade technology and enhance the skill set of its workforce. This is great news for the manufacturing industry in the region, and we are grateful to the company for its commitment to Virginia.”