COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anduril Industries, a California-based defense technology company, has announced plans to build a $1 billion facility in Pickaway County. Named Arsenal-1, the five-million-square-foot site is projected to create more than 4,000 direct jobs by 2035, along with thousands of indirect and induced jobs. State leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, hailed the development as a major economic boost for Ohio.
The site, located on 500 acres near Rickenbacker International Airport, marks the largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio’s history, according to DeWine’s office. The project is also expected to contribute nearly $1 billion annually to the state’s GDP, with an estimated $2 billion in economic output and $1 billion in labor income generated annually.
However, the deal has drawn scrutiny for its reliance on public incentives. Anduril Industries plans to seek a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Department of Development at an upcoming Tax Credit Authority meeting. Additionally, the company is requesting $70 million from the All Ohio Future Fund, which is subject to approval by the Ohio Controlling Board. These measures are intended to support the state’s investment in advanced defense manufacturing but have prompted concerns about the scale of public funding involved.
Critics of the project argue that tax incentives may outweigh the long-term benefits, especially in a sector tied to national defense. Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize the transformative potential of the investment, not only for Pickaway County but for the state’s economy as a whole.
The announcement follows an investigative report by The Guardian revealing plans for the facility, which DeWine’s office confirmed on Wednesday. Construction of Arsenal-1 is expected to begin in the coming months, signaling a new chapter for Ohio’s manufacturing and technology sectors.
As the project progresses, debates over its economic impact and the use of taxpayer dollars are likely to intensify. Both supporters and skeptics agree on one point: Arsenal-1 will leave a lasting mark on Ohio’s economic landscape.
