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MERCKCASE STUDY
December 2, 2020
Morgan Olson, Danville
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2018 June 13 Lead comes into VEDP with initial plans for vaccine
production expansion at one of three existing
facilities (NC, PA, or VA)
November 26 Merck team meets with VA (VEDP, REDO, LEDO) to
discuss project specifics; identify key workforce
gaps and power outage issues
December 20 Merck and VA meet with Blue Ridge Community College
and James Madison University to discuss and
address workforce gaps
2019 January 11 VEDP and Higher Ed teams begin to develop custom
workforce solution addressing client’s needs;
building future pipeline for Merck and other regional
manufacturers
January 15 Dominion identifies plan to address key
infrastructure needs at Elkton site; Merck agrees to plan
January 28 Merck meets with VA team at Elkton site to provide
feedback on proposed custom workforce solution
February 23 MEI Commission considers and approves proposed
incentive package
February 26 Financial offer is delivered to the company
March 6 Merck Board reviews proposal and advises VEDP of their
intent to move forward with VA package
May 6 Merck announces 100 new jobs and an investment of $1
billion to add 120,000 SF to its existing 1.1
million SF facility in Rockingham County
TIMELINE - PROJECT
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2019 August 29 Follow up meeting with workforce team to discuss
next steps to implement custom workforce solution
September 27 Merck and Higher Ed representatives tour BRCC
Biosciences building and discuss build out of internship
program and Region Manufacturing Liaison position
2020 January 6 New Merck/JMU SPRINT program kicks off with 6
interns
January 8 Regional Manufacturing Liaison begins, and custom
workforce solution continues to be implemented
August 28 Biotech professors from BRCC and JMU begin externships
with Merck to strengthen application
concepts for curricula and inform BRCC equipment purchase
decisions
November 30 More than 50 BRCC and JMU interns/graduates hired in
full-time or contract positions and Merck is on
target to exceed project job creation metrics well ahead of
schedule
2021 January ▪ 16 JMU interns scheduled to begin or extend
existing internships
▪ Short-term training and bootcamps to be developed in
partnership with BRCC and Merck
▪ BRCC continues equipment outfit of Biosciences Building
▪ Hire Biotechnology Director
Fall ▪ Launch two new biotechnology courses at BRCC
▪ Develop new Process Engineering certificate at JMU
▪ Finalize Articulation Agreement between JMU ISAT and BRCC
Advanced Manufacturing degrees
TIMELINE – CUSTOM WORKFORCE SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION
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Building
▪ Expedited permitting
▪ Expansion-ready site
▪ Utility provider support
Workforce
▪ Custom talent development pipeline in partnership with JMU and
BRCC
▪ Dedicated Regional Manufacturing Liaison
▪ Existing industry workforce
Community/State Support
▪ Engagement of community and state leaders
▪ Incentive package
WIN FACTORS
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James Madison University
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Be creative:
▪ Custom workforce incentive
▪ Performance-based metrics
Develop a pathway for success:
▪ Build relationships to ensure and sustain success
▪ Bridge the gap between community college & 4yr
institutions
▪ Bring everyone to the table to understand and address client
needs
TAKEAWAYS FOR THE FUTURE
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Blue Ridge Community College
