An Illinois healthcare company: 353 jobs to UNLV Technology Park

A pharmacy benefits management company is expanding to Clark County with plans to employ 353 people.

Catamaran LLC, which is headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., will be the first tenant in the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park and plans to recruit heavily from local pharmacy schools during 2015.

“Having that pipeline of talent is absolutely critical,” said Michael Shapiro, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Catamaran. “It’s a very highly skilled workforce that will represent a large part of the team.”

Shapiro said Catamaran chose Southern Nevada for several reasons:

• Access to a large pool of skilled employees with knowledge of pharmacology
• Southern Nevada’s status as a transportation hub with overnight shipping easily available
• Existing licenses with the Nevada Board of Pharmacy
• Collaborative nature of the State of Nevada 

Catamaran fulfills special-order pharmaceuticals and will employ a mix of pharmacists, technicians and customer service representatives. The average wage for these jobs will be $23.10.

“It also hits right in the wheelhouse of one of the areas we’re focusing on with regard to healthcare,” said Gov. Brian Sandoval, who chairs the 10-person Governor’s Office of Economic Development board, at an October 10 board meeting.

The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance assisted Catamaran in preparing a $3.4 million incentive package, which its representatives presented to the board.

Shapiro said the company plans to break ground on its 100,000 square foot building as soon as possible.

“We are excited about the opportunity to welcome Catamaran as one of the first tenants in the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park,” said UNLV President Donald Snyder. “We look forward to partnering with them to bring healthcare jobs to Southern Nevada and to grow the type of medical infrastructure that is so critically needed in our region.”

The location at Sunset Road and Durango Drive affords the company quick access to McCarran International Airport, which can facilitate overnight shipping throughout the United States due to its status as one of the nation’s busiest airports.

At its October 10 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development approved a $3.4 million incentive package for Catamaran, including a $900,000 Catalyst Fund grant, a sales tax abatement of $1.4 million, modified business tax abatement of $339,000, and a personal property tax abatement of $716,000.

The company plans to spend more than $23 million in capital investment for land and a built-to-suit property. Economic models from the State of Nevada estimate the company will return $5.2 million in direct state and local tax revenues as well as $14 million in indirect state and local tax revenues.