PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio —As defense contractor Anduril Industries continues to land lucrative government contracts, Ohio taxpayers are now footing the bill for a massive development project tied to the company’s expansion in Pickaway County.
Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that $92 million from the All Ohio Future Fund will be used for infrastructure improvements across four counties, with $86 million allocated to the Pickaway County Port Authority to support Anduril’s planned manufacturing site near Rickenbacker International Airport. This comes in addition to $450 million in tax breaks already approved for the project, making it one of the largest corporate incentives in Ohio’s history.
Meanwhile, on December 3, Anduril was awarded a $100 million contract from the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office to expand its “edge data integration services,” further solidifying the company’s role in the defense industry. This contract adds to a long list of military deals, including a $400 million Navy contract for counter-drone systems and multiple Air Force and Army contracts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
A controversial company with a growing footprint
Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey—creator of Oculus VR and a vocal supporter of military technology—has drawn criticism for its work in border surveillance, artificial intelligence-driven warfare, and military drone development. The company has been involved in contracts supporting autonomous weapons systems, AI surveillance tools, and counter-UAS technologies.
Despite its growing influence in national security, Anduril’s arrival in Pickaway County has sparked local controversy, particularly around zoning battles and public concerns about infrastructure, environmental impact, and community displacement.
Zoning fights and local opposition
The company’s planned expansion site near Rickenbacker has faced pushback from residents and local officials who argue that the rapid rezoning of agricultural land for industrial use is being done without proper community input. Concerns have been raised about:
- Traffic congestion: The scale of the project will significantly increase truck traffic and strain local roads.
- Utility strain: The development will require major extensions of sewer, water, and electrical services—costs largely shouldered by taxpayers.
- Loss of farmland: Pickaway County, traditionally an agricultural region, is seeing vast portions of land converted into industrial complexes.
- Public funds for corporate gain: With Anduril already securing billions in military contracts, some residents question why hundreds of millions in public money is being handed to a private defense contractor.
Despite these concerns, state officials argue the deal will bring 4,000 jobs to the region over the next decade, with manufacturing at the new facility expected to begin in 2026. With zoning disputes ongoing and infrastructure concerns mounting, Anduril’s expansion in Pickaway County remains a deeply divisive issue—one that raises fundamental questions about the balance between economic development, corporate welfare, and community interests