Research Facility Expansion Will Create, Retain More than 150 Jobs in Chester County

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Nov 03, 2010, 11:00 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A global contract research organization will expand its operations in Chester County and create more than 80 new jobs within three years, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced today.

PPD Inc. is planning to renovate its existing facility in Wayne, purchase new equipment and provide employee training. The $25 million project will create at least 86 jobs within three years and retain 80 existing positions.

"This project – which will create or retain more than 150 high-paying jobs and leverage a significant private investment – is great news for Chester County and it is a textbook example of the kinds of economic development projects we support," DCED Secretary Austin Burke said. "Our economic development programs have helped bring exciting, job-creating projects like this one to fruition all across the state."

PPD provides drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across the world and employs more than 10,500 professionals worldwide. The company offers a wide range of services from its Wayne facility, including a vaccines and biologics laboratory, and bioanalytical and global central labs services.

"With a large concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies based in the northeast United States, expanding our laboratory operations in Wayne builds on our ability to serve clients in this region more effectively," said Lee Babiss, executive vice president of global laboratory services for PPD. "We are pleased to continue our growth in Wayne and appreciate the strong support we have received from Governor Rendell and Pennsylvania."

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.

The Chester County Economic Development Council worked with the company and the Governor's Action Team to secure a $608,000 funding offer that includes a $275,000 opportunity grant, $74,700 in job training assistance, and $258,000 in job creation tax credits. The state investment will leverage more than $23 million in outside investment.

"CCEDC was excited to help PPD expand its corporate presence along Chester County's Route 202 high-tech corridor," said Tim Connor, senior vice president, CCEDC. "PPD's Center of Excellence program will bring professionals from all over the world to visit their site, thus creating a multiplying effect on the project's economic impact for that area."

Since Governor Rendell took office in 2003, the Governor's Action Team has successfully completed 1,163 projects, resulting in commitments to create 128,105 new jobs and retain 300,573 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.2 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $16 billion in additional investment.

For more information on PPD visit www.ppdi.com.

For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Luke Webber, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development