Bayer's $2.2B Ohio Pharma Campus Has No GC Yet, Work Starts 2027

Bayer's $2.2B Ohio Pharma Campus Has No GC Yet, Work Starts 2027

Bayer’s $2.2 billion pharmaceutical campus in New Albany, Ohio, is expected to create about 1,500 construction jobs starting mid-2027, and no GC or CM has been picked, ENR reports.

Market Impact

Bayer announced the modular campus Oct. 2. It will sit at the New Albany International Business Park near Columbus on an initial 110 acres, with an option on another 85 acres that would bring it to about 195. A drug-substance manufacturing module is expected to be operational in 2031, followed by a finished-drug-product module in 2034. The first module will make small-molecule oncology, cardiovascular and renal drugs, per ENR’s citation of The Wall Street Journal.

Fluor worked with Bayer on site selection and is now handling early design. A Bayer spokesperson told ENR the company is “evaluating our approach to procurement, detailed engineering and construction” and expects to define its procurement approach and timing in early 2027. Bayer declined to say how much of the $2.2 billion is construction versus process equipment. New Albany has received no site plans or zoning, grading, building or infrastructure permit applications, city spokesperson Adrienne Mayfield told ENR.

The site is in a crowded market. ENR notes Bechtel is leading Intel’s $28 billion semiconductor project and Turner is GC on Vantage Data Centers’ $2 billion campus nearby. Community Development Director Jennifer Chrysler said at a May 13 advisory board meeting that about 25,000 construction workers travel into the community daily. Water and sewer come from Columbus, and water allocation and related infrastructure are part of the city’s talks with Bayer.

What It Means for Subcontractors

• Procurement has no bid stage yet. Bayer has not chosen a detailed design firm, CM or GC. It plans to set its procurement approach in early 2027, so the next gate is that announcement. Until then, the only named contact is Fluor, which is in early design. Whether Fluor stays on for detailed engineering or construction is not stated.
• Mechanical and process-piping subs should study the scope type. ENR cites ISPE guidance saying small-molecule API facilities center on core process equipment, supported by utilities, solvent storage, emissions controls and waste handling. That is general guidance, not Bayer’s confirmed package list. Subs can still position for those systems before the CM or GC is named.
• Electrical and utility contractors should note the power setup. The city does not provide electric service. An investor-owned utility and an energy cooperative both have territory in the business park, per Mayfield. Which one serves Bayer’s site is not confirmed.
• Civil and sitework scope depends on permits. No zoning, grading or infrastructure applications have been filed. Roadway improvements will be set during planning and design. Mid-2027 is the target start, subject to design, due diligence and approvals.
• Plan labor around local competition. With Intel, Vantage and Amgen’s nearby pharma campus drawing crews, expect tight craft availability. Chrysler said Amgen’s buildout, once pitched as 20 years, is now expected in under seven. Firms bidding in 2027 should price accordingly.
• Watch the incentive filings. Bayer plans to seek an Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit at a future Tax Credit Authority meeting. JobsOhio’s package details will be public only after a final agreement is executed. That filing is a signal the project is firming up.