BUSINESS FOCUS Briefs Merck expanding in Durham Merck & Co. Inc. plans to invest about $300 million to again expand its Durham vaccine manu facturing facility, creating^in additional 150 to 180 jobs. The expansion will support the manufacture and global distribution of several of the interna tional pharmaceutical company's key vaccines. Headquartered in Whitehouse Station, N.J., Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and mar kets vaccine^ and medicines to address unmet medical needs. In 2004 the company began con struction of a $300 million, 235,000-square-foot facility in Treyburn Corporate Park in Durham that was completed this year. This facility is on sched ule to become fully licensed to begin supplying vaccines to markets around the world in 2009. In December 2006, Merck announced Phase II of the Durham facility: an expansion that includes a sterile processing facility, quality testing labs and high speed packaging line totaling approxi mately 110,000 square feet. Construction is cur rently underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2010. Last week's announcement of a Phase III expansion, which will include a new bulk vaccine manufacturing facility as well as expansions to the utility, warehouse and administrative infrastruc tures, is contingent upon approval of a grant by the Durham County Commission. Assuming approval of that grant, construction is scheduled to begin in 2008 and be completed in 2011, bringing the pro jected total number of employees at the site to approximately 400. WSSU names new dean Dr. Fidelis M. Ikem, associate and interim dean of the College of Business at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Penn., has been named dean and u CU1CI 1C5COICI1 UlilCCI U1 uic School of Graduate Studies and Research at Winston Salem State University, effective July 14. In his new role, Ikem will lead the school in the ilext phase in its history and achieve the vision of build ing excellent graduate pro grams supported by qualified faculty in the various fields of studies, and cementing the reputation of the school. Ikem will continue the mission of educating students, who will become responsible community leaders and maintaining the academic values, research focus and quality of the school. He will collaborate with deans, gradu ate program coordinators, department chairs and faculty to administer emerging and high demand graduate programs, within a supportive and nurtur ing academic environment. Ikem earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colo.; a Masters in Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University, S.C.; and a Masters and Ph.D. in Operations Research at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I Ikem Raleigh to Charlotte rail service is increased Gov. Mike Easley recently announced that a third intercity passenger train between Raleigh and Charlotte will be added to the current service to help meet growing demand as well as ridership increas es. The new train service will run at midday, with departures from Raleigh and Charlotte. "Ridership is increasing significantly along this route and adding a midday train run will meet the growing demand and provide needed services to North Carolina travelers who are looking for eco nomical alternatives to driving," Easley said. "As fuel prices continue to climb, more and more people are turning to rail as their choice for transportation." From October 2007 to April 2008, ridership was up more than 22 percent with 197,126 travelers rid ing either the Piedmont or Carolinian trains. On the Piedmont (trains 73 and 74) ridership was up almost 26 percent from 28,309 to 35,681 passengers; the Carolinian (trains 79 and 80) was up 18 percent from 136358 to 161,445. The North Carolind Department or Transportation currently sponsors both the Piedmont and Carolinian trains as part of North Carolina's Amtrak service. Each train makes a morning and evening run between Raleigh and Charlotte, a trip that is competitive with auto travel at 3 hours and 9 minutes, including intermediate stops at Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis. The Carolinian also makes stops in Selma, Wilson and Rocky Mount, in the eastern part of the state. Fares for the round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte start at $50. G The estimated cost to operate the additional route is $3 million a year. The money will come from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program. "Federal funds are going to cover startup and operational costs for the next three years, so it's a win-win," said Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett. "Riding the train offers a safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly way to travel." Officials at the state transportation department estimate that it will take between six and 12 months to make the third run operational. Rail cars and locomotives will need to be refurbished for the service. The Piedmont and Carolinian trains are sup ported by the state transportation department, Amtrak and passenger fares. New directors are added to M&F Board SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Three new members have been added to the Mechanics and Farmers Bank Board of Directors. William V. "Bill" Bell, Bishop George W. Brooks and Lenny F. Springs II are joining returning directors James A. Stewart (chairman), Vice-Chair Connie J. White, Willie T. Closs, Jr., Michael L. Lawrence, Cedric L. Russell, Kim D, Saunders, Maceo K. Sloan and Aaron L. Spaulding. Bell is currently Mavor of the Citv of _____ ? ? ? Durham and sefved as chairman of the Board of Mutual Community Savings Bank Inc., which recently was acquired by M&F Bancorp. A long-time public official in the Durham communi ty. Bell currently is a member of the Greater Triangle Regional Committee and Triangle Transit Authority and has served on numerous boards of regional nonprofit organiza tions. Also a former MCSB Director, Bishop Brooks is the senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, where he has served since 1975. Recognized and respected in the faith-based community throughout the state. Bishop Brooks is the Bishop of Administration of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from NC A&T SU in Greensboro, a Master of Divinity degree from Shaw University in Raleigh, and doc torate of Ministry degree from Friends International Christian University in Merced, Calif. Under his guidance and leadership. Mount Zion 's membership has grown from 35 in 1975 to over 5,000 today. Springs is a well-known, highly respected former banker who currently is president and CEO of The S-Group, an organizational development and strategic management firm in Charlotte; and presi dent of Queen City Venture Partners, a minority-owned investment company. Springs joined First Union Bank (now Wachovia Corporation) in 1983, and served in several senior finance positions, most recently as SVP/Director of Supplier Diversity. He specializes in promoting public awareness and instituting progres sive initiatives for community and busi ness development. Retiring from the board are long time Directors Genevia Gee Fulbright (who also served on the Board of the parent company, M&F Bancorp, Inc); J. ,C. "Skeepie" Scarborough III; and Joseph M. Sansom, who will step down from the bank's board but remains on the parent company's board. Bell Brooks BB&T supports WSSU program -w? ? ? ^ ^ Bank's Foundation will - shell out $125 million -CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT City-based Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) Corp., is helping to jump-start a proposed program at Winston-Salem State University that will expose students to the moral underpin nings of the capitalist econom-C ic system. BB&T, the nation's 14th largest financial holding com pany, has given $1.25 million to the program, which is called. Ethical Values of Capitalism. The gift - from the BB&T Charitable Foundation - will be payable over 10 years in renewable annual installments of $125,000 beginning Oct. 15. Ethical Values t>f Capitalism is a seven-part pro gram offered through WSSU's ^ File Photo Students will learn link between morals, capitalism in new Winston-Salem State business program. School of Business and Economics (SBE). It is not only designed to give students the opportunity to examine the moral foundations of capital ism and other economic sys tems through the critical exam ination of Ayn Rand& Atlas Shrugged, but will also feature global, regional and local out reach components to: ? mobilize university stu dents to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations, includ ing travel abroad opportuni ties; ? establish an entrepreneur ship and social responsibility series for high school students and youth aging out of foster See Foundation on A9 Tribute at the Track Photo by Kevin Walker John Singleton, director of communications for Reynolds American, holds the award that was presented to him by members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association last week in Louisville, Ky. The honor is a thank you to Singleton and Reynolds American for supporting NNPA, an organization of black publishers. Reynolds American sponsored a luncheon and horse race at famed Churchill Downs (the home of the Kentucky Derby) for NNPA members during the organization's convention last week in Louisville. Here, Singleton and members of the NNPA leadership pose above the famous race track. RDU Terminal 2 to open this fall SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE . The countdown has begun for the opening of Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Phase One of the airport's $570 million terminal will open this fall "Terminal 2 has been 20 years in ? ?? ? .? ? n r\ t t mi tne malting, ana mis iaii kuu win change the travel experience for our region's travelers," said Teresa Damiano, the Airport Authority's director of marketing and customer service. "Our customers tell us that what they love most about RDU is convenience. With Terminal 2, the Airport Authority takes convenience to the next level with the latest in air port design and innovation." Terminal 2 will feature a column free design that guides passengers easily from the curb to their gate. The architecture also je fleets the Research Triangle Region, combining large wood trusses with the extensive use of steel and glass curtain wall to reflect the region's history of craftsmanship and its reputation as a leader in technology and education. See RDU on riaj images Construction is ongoing on the new terminal. N.C. developers honor commerce secretary SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Jim Fain has received the North Carolina Economic Developers (NCEDA) President's Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership in economic development in North Carolina. NCEDA is the leading statewide association of profes sional economic developers and their allies, with nearly 600 mem bers who promote the state and its communities as places for new economic activity. Fain received his award June 12 at the NCEDA 2008 Annual Conference in Raleigh. m uja mow Scott T. Hamilton, NCEDA vice president (from left); Sec. Jim Fain and NCEDA President Donny Hicks. i secretary rain oas oeen a irue leader in economic development." said Donny Hicks, President of NCEDA. "NCEDA is proud to honor Jim for his years of hard work and dedication to the state of North Carolina." Fain was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Gov. Mike Easley in 2001 and reappointed in 2004 when Gov. Easley was re elected. As secretary, Fain works to grow well -paying, sustainable jobs in North Carolina by recruithijg new companies, growing existing businesses ? large and small ? and encouraging start-ups while keep ing North Carolina competitive in today's global economy.