A spokesman for Lenovo says the firm began moving executive personnel the weekend of April 30. On May 1, Lenovo closed on the $1.25-billion purchase of the IBM division. The spokesman says the company is still reviewing build-to-suit sites in Westchester that would total a little more than the space the firm has right now in Purchase. Although he says that no timetable has been set to selecting a location, local commercial real estate sources say that the company is close to making a deal. Lenovo is currently looking to house about 50 executive staff at the site here with a goal of employing approximately 150 people by 2008 at its permanent worldwide headquarters, according to the spokesperson.
Lenovo's intent to establish its worldwide headquarters in Westchester followed a trip to China by a delegation of Westchester County government officials at the end of March. During the trip Westchester county executive Andy Spano and economic development department director Salvatore Carrera met with Lenovo officials in Beijing.
Last month, Lenovo officials revealed the firm was considering finalizing a sublease deal of approximately with R.H. Donnelley at One Manhattanville Rd. Lenovo went before the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency seeking sales and use tax exemptions in connection with the deal. CB Richard Ellis' Michael Siegel and David Block represented the Lenovo Group in the deal. In addition to some aid by the Westchester County IDA, Empire State Development Corp. is also expected to offer some financial incentives in connection with its establishment of operations in the county.
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