Genzyme Corp., one of the state's largest biotech companies, said it has resolved a sticky problem with Framingham's sewage system, allowing the Cambridge company to go ahead with plans to build a $260 million drug manufacturing plant there.
The biotech warned late last year that it might be forced to build the plant in another town or state, because Framingham's aging sewage and water system would not be able to handle the added load from Genzyme's facility without a $12.9 million upgrade.
Though Framingham and Massachusetts officials both promised to work to secure state funding for the project, company executives said they couldn't afford to wait much longer for the state to make a commitment. And even if the funding eventually came through, Genzyme managers fretted the sewage project wouldn't be finished by the time the manufacturing plant was ready to open in 2010, prompting them to begin considering alternative sites.
But yesterday, Genzyme executives said they believe they have found a solution - upgrading a small portion of the system first, taking less time and for a fraction of the cost. Genzyme executives estimated the partial work - enough to support the plant - would cost roughly $1 million to $2 million.
In addition, Genzyme officials said they have received a verbal commitment from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to provide $250,000 in interim funding to the town to immediately begin design work on the sewage project, while state and local officials have pledged to keep working to secure the rest of funding as part of Governor Deval Patrick's $1 billion life sciences bill. Legislative leaders have said some form of the bill will be adopted by mid-February.
"We have arrived at a point where we are confident we can move forward" with the project, said Henry Fitzgerald, vice president of facility operations. He said the company is no longer considering building elsewhere.
Genzyme said the Framingham project would create 300 jobs and include 300,000 square feet of office, laboratory, manufacturing, and purification space. It would be similar in size to the plant Genzyme built in Allston 12 years ago, before that plant was expanded. Like the Allston facility, the Framingham plant would produce biologic drugs, made from proteins grown in living cells, rather than treatments manufactured by mixing chemicals. Genzyme already has 4,500 employees in Massachusetts, making it the state's largest biotech employer.
The project also marks another victory in the state's effort to attract life sciences jobs. In recent months, drug makers Wyeth, Sanofi-Aventis SA, and Marlborough's Sepracor Inc. have all unveiled or completed local expansion plans.
Kofi Jones, a spokeswoman for the state's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, said the administration was "pleased to have identified funds that will allow Genzyme to move forward with its expansion plans in Framingham." She said the administration would also continue working with legislators to pass the life sciences bill.
But Framingham Town Manager Julian Suso said it might be premature to say the sewer problem has been resolved. Suso noted that wastewater systems are complex and that none of the engineering work for the proposed fix has been completed.
"I believe in being cautious, guarded, and measured when you are working with something that is very complex," Suso said. He said the town is still working with the company and the state to find ways to upgrade the water system to accommodate Genzyme. Suso also said the upgrades could eventually help other companies expand in the western part of town.
Todd Wallack can be reached at twallack@globe.com.
