BioTech and research leader to add 105 more jobs
By Terry Troy
Northwest Ohio will once again benefit from being a home to a Charles River Laboratories’ facility.
The Boston-based company, considered a global leader in providing preclinical lab services for the biotech, medical device and pharmaceutical industries, will invest another $43 million in its Allen County facility, adding 105 new jobs to the existing 270 positions now at the site.
To meet the growing demand for research across the world, the company plans to add approximately 88,000 square feet of laboratory and administrative space, which will include a Center of Excellence facility where swine research will be the primary focus. Once complete, the location will be one of the top swine preclinical research facilities in the world.
The company has received approval of a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. However, the project is also pending the approval of a local tax abatement agreement and other incentives.
In choosing to expand in Spencerville, General Manager Rusty E. Rush cited the company’s outstanding and experienced workforce, as well as the pipeline of talent coming from the regional universities, as contributing factors in its site location decision.
“Workforce is the critical component in the required drug development process,” Rush said. “We have a large number of universities we can draw technical staff from, and we’ve had great success attracting PhD-level talent.”
The Charles River Labs’ Spencerville facility is one of 22 preclinical research facilities across the globe. The company has operations in 20 countries with more than 18,000 employees worldwide at its 100-plus locations. Charles River Labs supports the development of more than 80% of the drugs approved by the FDA over the last three years.
Rush also complimented the collaboration and support provided by the Regional Growth Partnership, Allen Economic Development Group, JobsOhio and the Village of Spencerville in moving the project forward.
Rush added that all construction should be completed and ready for occupancy by July 2023.
“The expansion of the work at Charles River Laboratories will benefit Allen County and the region with new employment and it will provide an economic boost to the region,” Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp said. “Because the work at Charles River Laboratories advances human health, the work done here in Allen County will also advance the well-being of people through the nation. I commend Charles River on its expansion in Allen County.”
“The expansion at Charles River Labs represents a significant investment and long-term commitment for Allen County,” said Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman. “These high-tech jobs help drive the career possibilities for the future scientists who call Spencerville home.”
The Allen Economic Development Group is a public/private partnership formed in 1993 as a facilitator for countywide economic development. Its mission is to create an environment for new business development, promote and nurture existing business and facilitate the creation of new jobs in Allen County.