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LEAP district sees major filings: Lilly expansion ongoing; Meta files plans for multi‑phase campus
Summary
Mayor Matt Gentry said Lilly continues large LP‑site construction in the LEAP district and Meta has filed plans for a multi‑phase campus; the Meta filing goes to the planning commission in August.
Lilly and Meta projects Mayor Matt Gentry said Eli Lilly’s LP1, LP2 and LPX sites north of Lebanon are under active construction with cranes and thousands of workers on site, and that the company is targeting openings in 2026–27 for initial phases. He said Meta has formally filed plans with the city; the filing will go to the Lebanon Planning Commission in August and Meta aims to break ground this fall. Gentry described the initial Meta phase as an $800,000,000 investment and said the company envisions six phases that together could total about $4,800,000,000.
Why it matters Gentry said the LEAP district projects are generating construction activity and local business income, lifting revenues for food, housing demand and other local services. "I think it's lifting a lot of boats," he said, noting benefits for small businesses as well as large employers.
Related transportation and infrastructure work Gentry also discussed regional Indiana Department of Transportation projects tied to growth in the area: a new interchange north of town on U.S. 65 is targeted to open in 2027, and INDOT plans work on State Road 32 that includes adding roundabouts at 200 West, 300 West and 400 West in an initial phase and realigning an S‑curve section the mayor linked to recent fatalities. Gentry said INDOT had planned those changes before a recent tragedy and is moving ahead with the work; INDOT plans to break ground on SR 32 improvements in September.
Process and oversight The mayor emphasized that filings must undergo local review and comply with planning rules. He said the city will review the Meta filing through its normal planning channels and that approvals, conditions and infrastructure coordination will occur as part of that process. No final approvals were reported during the interview.
End note Gentry urged patience with construction impacts and said long‑term infrastructure is intended to serve the community for decades. He said many of the LEAP district projects are on fast timelines but that coordination among developers, the city and INDOT remains ongoing.
