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County could give Merck $2 million
Submitted by samihakhanna on 07/23/2008 - 16:52
The county Board of Commissioners on Monday will consider giving drug company Merck $2 million in economic incentives to expand its Durham facility, adding 150 to 180 jobs. (The full agenda for Monday should be posted soon.)
County staffers have recommended that the board approve the proposal. The board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday at its chambers on the second floor of 200 E. Main St., and then they'll vote.
Merck's expansion would bring a $300 million investment to the county and the Treyburn Corporate Park.
The company has told Durham officials it is also considering an expansion in Pennsylvania, and that the incentives from Durham County are key to its decision.
If Durham granted the funds, they would pay for for site preparation including clearing, grading and the extension of utilities, at Merck's 257-acre site.
Upon completion of the expansion, Merck would manufacture a vaccine for chicken pox at the facility, according to county documents.
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