The LEGO Group broke ground in April on a new factory in Virginia, a first for the US and one that will be carbon neutral.

LEGO’s new factory represents a $1 billion investment for the company and is slated for completion in 2025. The site covers 340 acres and will be carbon neutral, thanks to its abundant ground and rooftop solar panels.

“We are absolutely delighted to mark the beginning of construction here in Virginia,” said Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operations Officer of the LEGO Group. “We are grateful for the fruitful collaboration we have had with all partners across the Commonwealth of Virginia who share and support our ambition to build this factory.

“We are working hard to reduce emissions at the LEGO Group and are really excited about our plans to build this solar plant as we push towards a better world for our children to inherit.

“Our new site will allow us to inspire millions of children across the Americas through play and we can’t wait to get started.”

The company took the unique approach of inviting the children of Richmond, VA to help design the grounds, using models made of — you guess it — LEGO bricks.

Once the factory is complete, it will employ 1,760 highly skilled workers.