DURHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Gov. Mike Easley announced Tuesday that

Merck & Co. Inc.

will locate its new vaccine manufacturing facility in Durham County, bringing approximately 200 jobs and up to $300 million in additional investment to the area.

It will be the first vaccine manufacturing facility for Merck outside its vaccine division headquarters in West Point, Pa. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for humans and animals, directly and through its joint ventures.

"Merck exemplifies the type of growth industry we want in North Carolina -- biopharmaceutical," Easley said. "These are jobs of the future, jobs that will not go overseas and the competition for them is fierce. Securing this project will enhance North Carolina's international reputation in this field, and catalyze new growth in the state."

Site preparation at the Durham location will begin in June, and the company plans to start construction in the summer. Merck officials expect the facility to be operational and fully staffed in 2008.