California‑based defense contractor Anduril Industries has been awarded a $310 million grant from JobsOhio to construct a massive advanced manufacturing complex, named “Arsenal‑1,” near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County.
The facility, set to open in July 2026, underscores the state’s commitment to high‑tech industrial growth and national defense infrastructure.
The 5‑million‑square‑foot Arsenal‑1 campus will be built on a 500‑acre site approximately 16 miles southeast of Columbus.
Over the next decade, Anduril has committed to a $910.5 million capital investment and the creation of 4,008 full‑time jobs, generating more than $530 million in annual payroll, making this the largest direct job creation project in Ohio’s history. Under the terms of a 30‑year economic development agreement, Anduril must maintain these commitments for two decades following the initial 10‑year build‑out.
Designed to produce military drones and autonomous air vehicles, Arsenal‑1 represents a next‑generation manufacturing hub. It will support high-volume output of autonomous systems, such as Fury air vehicles, Barracuda cruise missiles, and Roadrunner turbojet platforms. The facility’s proximity to dual 12,000‑foot runways and a military‑certified private apron enhances logistical readiness for defense deployments.
The $310 million grant covers roughly one‑third of Anduril’s initial investment, distributed over ten years and contingent on hitting milestones. Additionally, the company secured a 2.594% refundable Job Creation Tax Credit through the Ohio Department of Development, estimated to provide up to $452.3 million in state savings through 2055.
Funding will be disbursed upon verification of job creation and capital deployment, with legal provisions to ensure compliance throughout the 30-year agreement.
“JobsOhio’s assistance aligns with our goal to attract the world’s most cutting‑edge companies while creating generational opportunities for Ohio’s people and economy,” JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef told the Dayton Daily News. We look forward to partnering with Anduril as it hyperscales manufacturing of military platforms through advanced software and production technologies with talent from Ohio.”
He stressed the significance of Ohio’s skilled workforce, strategic location, and robust supply chain network in drawing Anduril amidst competition from 400 other sites.
Anduril has emphasized Ohio’s logistical and industrial strengths.
“Ohio has a number of tools by which to understand our need and to effectively align incentives that incentivize us to deliver economic outcomes, jobs and a healthy business base here in Ohio,” Zach Mears, Anduril’s SVP of strategy, told Axios.
This investment leverages proximity to major defense infrastructure, including Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base. It builds on Anduril’s existing contracts with the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
The Scioto Post reports that by 2035, average annual wages at Arsenal‑1 are projected to surpass $132,300, generating long‑term payroll tax revenue and bolstering regional prosperity. Even during construction, the initiative is expected to support an additional 8,500 jobs in construction, supplier networks, and related services.
“Ohio’s aerospace and defense leadership is a perfect match for Anduril’s mission. Our skilled labor force will help deliver the next generation of autonomous systems, enhancing national security,” Gov. Mike DeWine told the Scioto Post.
Arsenal‑1 marks Ohio’s growing “silicon corridor,” spanning semiconductor, battery, and now autonomous systems manufacturing. With construction slated to begin following regulatory approvals, Anduril expects to ramp up production quickly in the coming years.
