Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is breaking ground on a $3 billion expansion of its longtime Elkton manufacturing campus, a project state and federal officials say will transform the Shenandoah Valley into a hub for life sciences innovation while adding as many as 500 permanent jobs.

The 400,000-square-foot facility will serve as Merck’s Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Small Molecule Manufacturing, marking a significant increase from the company’s earlier $2 billion commitment and 300-job projection. Construction is expected to begin this year and finish by 2029.

Company officials said the new site, which builds on nearly 85 years of Merck’s presence in Rockingham County, will enhance the production of small-molecule medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredient

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