SWIFTWATER, Pa., July 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's investments in programs that fund infrastructure projects made it possible for global industry leader Sanofi Pasteur to establish its new influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in Monroe County, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky said today.
"Infrastructure improvements are an incredibly important aspect of economic development," Secretary Yablonsky said. "Programs like PennWorks were created by Governor Edward G. Rendell to fund initiatives like this one that benefit all of our residents. We will continue our hard work to attract more high-tech companies and good-paying jobs to Pennsylvania.
"This new manufacturing plant will strengthen Pennsylvania's pharmaceutical industry and help us retain our status as a global leader in the biosciences. It will also help people in Pennsylvania -- and across the nation -- live better lives by boosting our defenses during the influenza season and by helping to guard against a potential flu pandemic."
Sanofi Pasteur's new, 140,000-square-foot facility will create 100 jobs and double the influenza vaccine manufacturing capability of the company in the U.S. The total cost of the project is $150 million.
In March 2005, the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a $5 million PennWorks grant for Pocono Township to make sewer improvements along the Route 611 corridor to the serve the Swiftwater site.
The $200 million PennWorks program was established in 2004 to provide single- or multi-year grants and loans to municipalities, municipal authorities, industrial development corporations and investor-owned water or wastewater enterprises. Projects may include construction, expansion or improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure related to economic development.
"Our commitment to building shovel-ready sites and expanding our infrastructure to meet business needs is yielding exciting results," Secretary Yablonsky said. "We have been able to attract billions of dollars in private sector investment to help more companies expand or set up shop here. This also translates into exciting new opportunities for Pennsylvania's residents."
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the Sanofi-Aventis Group, is committed to global pandemic preparedness. As the world leader in research, development and manufacturing of influenza vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur is actively involved in projects in the U.S. and Europe, with the goal of developing a vaccine to protect against a pandemic influenza virus. To learn more, visit http://www.sanofipasteur.com.
For information on PennWorks and other DCED programs, visit http://www.newPA.com or call 1-866-GoNewPA (1-866-466-3972).
For information about PENNVEST, visit http://www.pennvest.state.pa.us. CONTACT: Penny Kline (717) 783-1132
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic DevelopmentCONTACT: Penny Kline of the Pennsylvania Department of Community &Economic Development, +1-717-783-1132
