Genentech's Vacaville's incentives include everything from water rights, to deferral of development impact fees, to sales tax rebates

Article Launched: 04/20/2005 07:34:33 AM

Win-win aura at City Hall re Genentech incentives

By Tom Hall/Staff Writer

The Vacaville Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the city's agreement with biotech giant Genentech that puts in formal terms previously agreed upon incentives for expansion of the company's Vacaville manufacturing facility.

Mike Palombo, the city's economic development manager, called the amendment a legal authority for incentives already laid out in the biotech firm's development agreement with the city. Those incentives include everything from water rights, to deferral of development impact fees, to sales tax rebates.

An expansion of the plant currently under construction stands to double the size of the facility, and Palombo said that the amendment stands to update the incentives to coordinate with the full scope of the project.

Genentech's Mike Edwards said the amendment further strengthened the partnership between Vacaville and the company.

"It's been a great partnership," Edwards told commissioners. "These issues are very key to bolster the growth you see out there."

The City Council is scheduled to hear and approve the Genentech amendment at its May 10 meeting.

Tom Hall can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.