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Pocono News Section
Sanofi Pasteur May Move Hundreds of Jobs Out of Poconos
Sanofi Pasteur May Move Hundreds of Jobs Out of Poconos - Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 4:11PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 @ 04:11pm EST
SWIFTWATER - One of Monroe County's largest employers may ship hundreds of jobs out of the county. Vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur met with Lehigh County leaders Wednesday night to talk about relocating some workers to a spot that would give tax breaks.
Sanofi wouldn't specify how many workers might move but a manger says it would likely be "a couple of hundred."
Monroe County Commissioner Theresa Merli said, "Sanofi has expansion needs. We've known this for several years."
She told Eyewitness News the company needs more office space and needs it fast. "My understanding is that their development plans are so rapid that they need the office space now," she explained.
More than 2,000 people work at Sanofi in Monroe County. About 600 of them work in temporary buildings. A Sanofi spokesperson said the company is considering office space in Lehigh County's Upper Saucon Township.
"That they are exploring their options is not a terrifying thing," said Merli.
She said she's not worried because she believes the manufacturing portion of the company will stay in Monroe County. "The research and the development part of it as well as the manufacturing part of it will continue to grow," she explained.
Chuck Leonard, who oversees economic development in the county, also said there's no reason to worry as long as the jobs stay in the region. He said, "What we need to do as a community and a county is to develop the infrastructure, develop the sewage service, to have those things available for industry so they can grow and prosper in Monroe County."
Sanofi managers expect to make a moving decision sometime early next year. "I hope that when the final decision is made that they will find suitable locations here," said Merli.
That Lehigh Valley office building Sanofi may move into is expected to open next July. | | |
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