will invest $17.5 million to expand its plant in Greenville and will add 77 jobs over the next three years.
Governor Mike Easley made the announcement on Monday.
Metrics, which currently employs 250 people, said it would expand the plant by 47,000 square feet.
The company will receive various government incentives, including a $150,000 One North Carolina Fund grant through Easley's office. One N.C. Fund grants require a match from local governments.
"Our decision to expand at our current location was based on the quality of the local employees and investors we have been fortunate to attract," said Metrics Chief Executive Officer Phil Hodges. "We have found Greenville a great place to grow a high-tech business."
The company, which provides contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services, was founded by Hodges and John Bray in 1994. It opened with four employees.
Services include:
The new jobs will pay an average of $1,000 per week plus benefits - nearly double the average Pitt County wage of $515 per week.
"Metrics' decision to expand here clearly demonstrates we have the work force with the knowledge, talent and skill that companies need to succeed," Easley said in a statement. "This further strengthens our state's nationally recognized biotech and life sciences industry, which Ernst & Young has ranked No.3 in the nation for the past three years in a row."
Also participating in the economic package were the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community College System, Pitt County, the City of Greenville and the Pitt County Committee of 100, a nonprofit economic development group.
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