Shire's Lexington project moving ahead
State and local officials said Shire PLC appears to be moving forward with a $350 million expansion project in Lexington that would create 680 jobs, despite threats last year to build elsewhere.
Last fall, the British drugmaker threatened to cancel part of the project in Lexington unless Massachusetts offered enough of an incentive package. But Daniel O'Connell, the state's secretary of Housing and Economic Development, said today that "every indication" is that Shire has decided to proceed with the Lexington project, since state leaders pledged to secure $40.5 million in incentives.
Also, Lexington officials said the company is going to go forward with the permitting process.
At least a portion of the incentives, however, are expected be included in Governor Deval Patrick's life sciences legislation, which hasn't been approved yet. Shire could not immediately be reached for comment.
(By Todd Wallack, Globe staff)
