Indianapolis News and HeadlinesHiring Hoosiers

Actions

Elanco Animal Health to build global headquarters in downtown Indianapolis

The headquarters will take over 45-acres of the former GM stamping plant.
elanco.PNG
elancositedevelopmentmap.jpg
elancoplant.PNG
Posted at 9:35 AM, Dec 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-04 19:25:35-05

INDIANAPOLIS — The global headquarters of Elanco Animal Health Inc., the second-largest independent animal health company in the world, is set to be established in downtown Indianapolis.

Elanco's headquarters will be located on 45 acres of the former General Motors stamping plant on the southwest corner of downtown. The former GM site, a whole 91 acres, has sat vacant since its closure in 2011.

Elanco, which develops products and knowledge services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets in 90 countries, plans to invest more than $300 million into making Indianapolis it's base of operations, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The company currently operates 19 manufacturing sites and employs 9,000 people across the world. Elanco's decision to anchor in Indianapolis will create up to 575 new jobs by the end of 2030 and retain more than 1,600 of its Hoosier employees.

Elanco is currently headquartered in Greenfield, 25 miles east of Indianapolis, and where they will continue to be for the next two or three years until construction on the new site is complete. The company's build team plans to break ground in the first half of 2021.

The newly-independent company recently acquired Bayer Animal Health for $6.8 billion. Elanco's purchase of the Germany-based company made it the second-largest independent animal health after its separation from Eli Lilly and Company in 2019.

elancoplant.PNG

elancositedevelopmentmap.jpg

“For decades, the GM Stamping plant served as an anchor for near westside Indianapolis families,” Mayor Joe Hogsett, D-Indianapolis, said. “When the facility closed, residents mourned the loss – not just because of the economic impact, but out of concern for the long-term vibrancy of the community. Today’s announcement will mark a new chapter for the neighborhood, spurring greater connectivity beyond the Mile Square and catalyzing transformative development opportunities along the White River and beyond."

Development of the land that's sat vacant for almost ten years comes after the IEDC reached an agreement with Ambrose Property Group to purchase the site. Now, the city and state plan to partner in revitalizing the industrial site.

According to IEDC, Elanco's 45-acre headquarters may expand up to 65 acres if the company exercises a restricted land option. Ten acres of outdoor space near the site's eastern-most border would facilitate an expansion of White River State Park and improvements for the river.

The city of Indianapolis will help increase accessibility to the site by constructing a new, two-way bridge across the river at Henry Street. The city and state will also partner in the development of a new pedestrian bridge connecting both banks of the White River.

“It is a momentous day for the state of Indiana as we celebrate Elanco’s decision to establish its global headquarters in central Indiana, positioning itself for future growth and consolidation in the Hoosier state and creating hundreds of high-paying jobs for Hoosiers,” Gov. Eric Holcomb, R-Indiana, said.

“Elanco is an important asset to Indiana - a leader in our growing agbioscience sector, which is poised to grow and continue innovating," Governor Holcomb continued. "We are thrilled with the direction of Elanco’s future and the transformational impact its growth will have on the agbioscience sector, the downtown Indianapolis footprint, and most importantly, the lives of Hoosier workers.”

Anyone interested in a career at Elanco can view open positions and apply at elanco.com/careers.

"Elanco's decision to locate their global headquarters in Indiana builds on our growing reputation as a hotbed for cutting-edge innovation and one of the best states to do business," House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said in a statement released to WRTV. "In addition to retaining much-needed Hoosier jobs, they're also creating hundreds of high-wage, high-skill positions, and making tremendous investments in our circle city. We’ve long awaited the development of the former GM Stamping plant industrial site, and Elanco will be a great fit as they expand their operations and prepare for future growth."

In 1989, the company started building a center in Indianapolis. You can watch WRTV's report on this announcement below.

1989: Elanco builds center in Indianapolis

Contact Hiring Hoosiers
If you have story ideas or would like to learn more about Hiring Hoosiers, contact us via email at hiringhoosiers@wrtv.com.