New Jersey Lures Pharmaceutical Facility

The pharmaceutical company behind Botox will give a shot in the arm to the New Jersey economy by building a new $12 million research facility in the state, Gov. Chris Christie announced Monday.The move by California-based Allergan Inc. counters years in which the state has shed well-paying pharmaceutical jobs — a trend Christie has been personally involved in trying to stop. The governor lobbied the firm in person while in California last September to deliver a highly-touted speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.New Jersey officials are poised to offer the company a 10-year, $17 million state grant to build the facility, which is expected to create about 400 jobs. State officials cited the grant as a key bargaining chip in beating out other area states looking to woo the firm.“Creating good paying, private sector jobs that are sustainable over the long term is the number one priority of my administration,” Christie said in a statement Monday.The new building is expected to be around 100,000 square feet, according to Kevin Roberts, a spokesman for the governor. He said that possible locations include Florham Park in Morris County and Piscataway in Middlesex.A spokeswoman for Allergan said no final decisions had been made about the building’s size or the locations they are considering. The company currently employs 20 people at a subsidiary in Bedminister.“This expansion will enable us to further tap into the talent of New Jersey residents,” said Dr. Scott Whitcup, Allergan executive vice president for R&D, in a statement.The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will vote on awarding the Business Employment Incentive Program grant to Allergan during a board meeting Wednesday.