Will Bayer Expand or Close Its Wayne HQ?

Town officials and business leaders are hopeful that Bayer HealthCare will choose to stay in Wayne after the company announced Monday it will create a new “consolidated East Coast business site.”

Companies as large as Bayer can boost a municipality’s economy by providing local businesses with a growing customer base and its government with tax ratables.

“Large businesses are great for towns because they keep ratables coming in and employees use the local businesses. It means more people can shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants, and use our pharmacies," said Councilwoman Nadine Bello.

Tri-County Chamber of Commerce President Caryn Luberto agrees.

“The fact that such a large company is in our area is very good for everyone,” said Luberto. “It’s great for large and small businesses if they stay. We look forward to them staying in our area.”

The company employs approximately 2,500 people in the New Jersey and New York area. It could not be determined how many people work at the company’s Wayne facility. The company also has offices in Morristown and Montville.

“We are looking at sites currently located near our existing sites,” said Rosemarie Yancosek, a Bayer spokesperson.

Yancosek declined further comment.

A final decision is expected within a few months.

“I really hope they see the value of staying in Wayne. UPS moved into the old Valley Road extension as their smaller leases expired in other communities and they are bringing a lot of other people to Wayne. We hope Bayer does the same thing,” Bello said.