Wednesday, Jul. 28, 2010

Talecris might get a break on fees

The town will likely give drugmaker Talecris a break on building-permit fees as the company moves forward with a massive expansion project.

Under the town's fee schedule, Talecris would have to pay more than $414,000 for building permits as it invests more than $196 million in an expansion of its plant on U.S. 70 Business, said Clayton Town Manager Steve Biggs. That amount is more than it will take to operate the town's inspections department this year, he said.

So Talecris officials have asked the town to adjust the permit fees, Biggs said.

The town manager recommended charging the company $31,150 for the first 500 hours that town inspectors spend on the Talecris project. After 500 hours, the town would charge the company $43 an hour. If inspectors worked on the project after regular business hours, the town would charge Talecris $65 per hour.

Biggs said he wanted the town to consider its long-term relationship with Talecris, which employs hundreds of people at its plant on the outskirts of town.

Without a break on permit fees, Biggs said, Talecris officials might not choose Clayton for future expansions.

"They'd remember that's how they were treated here, and they might have to consider expanding elsewhere," Biggs said.

Councilman Bob Satterfield said if the town agreed to perform after-hours inspections for Talecris, it would have to do the same for other companies.

That prompted Councilman Art Holder to ask, "Are we setting a precedent that's going to cause us problems down the road with other commercial developers?"

Last November, Talecris announced it would create 259 jobs as part of its expansion. The company could receive tax breaks, grants and other financial assistance worth nearly $20 million from the state and Johnston County.

The state will give Talecris as much as $3.91 million. Johnston County will give the company up to $16 million in tax breaks.

Northeast Foods

Clayton has received a $700,000 grant from the state to run water and sewer lines to Northeast Foods, which is building a commercial bakery on the eastern edge of town.

Northeast Foods, which is based in Baltimore, recently broke ground on the bakery. Construction is expected to begin this week.

The company plans to create more than 70 jobs. The bakery will supply buns to McDonald's.