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Pocono News Section
Hundreds of Jobs Saved in Monroe County
Hundreds of Jobs Saved in Monroe County - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 4:59PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009 @ 04:59pm EST
SWIFTWATER - A major Pocono employer has decided to expand in Monroe County. As Eyewitness News first reported Tuesday, vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur abandoned a plan that could have moved hundreds of jobs into the Lehigh Valley.
At Sanofi Pasteur, employees make vaccines that keep immune systems healthy. They earn paychecks that keep the local economy healthy.
"Sanofi is the kind of company that everyone wants," said Chuck Leonard the Executive Director of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation.
In December Sanofi officials said they might move hundreds of jobs out of Monroe County and into the Lehigh Valley. On Tuesday they announced they are no longer considering that plan and they will keep all of those jobs in Monroe County.
"We are really delighted here at the county," said Commissioner Suzanne McCool. She said Sanofi is one of the County's largest employers and it offers some of the highest paying jobs in the region. Leonard added, "It's very difficult to replace those kinds of jobs."
Leonard said if Sanofi moved those jobs, the Pocono region could have lost tens of thousands of dollars in tax revenue. "The loss of $100,000, $50,000 is a significant drawback," he said. That wouldn't be the only drawback. Leonard uses Sanofi's success to attract other businesses to the region. "It does make an impression," he explained.
Without that good impression, other businesses might not open in the area. And less big employers mean there would be less customers around to visit small businesses. "It does have a critical impact on restaurants, recreation," said Leonard.
Sanofi officials have not explained why they chose to stay in Monroe County but officials there are happy the company will continue to boost the economic health of the area.
Local officials say they worked with State Representatives and Congressmen to convince Sanofi to stay put in the Poconos. | | |
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