Incentives ease Medtronic decision

Following weeks of anticipation, Medtronic Inc. announced Monday that it has chosen San Antonio, Texas, as the site for its new Diabetes Therapy Management and Education Center, which is expected to generate 1,400 jobs in the next five years.

Medtronic said it considered all 50 states to expand its $1 billion diabetes business but said it chose San Antonio because of its skilled labor pool, quality of life and $14 million in grants and incentives from the city and state.

The center will be built in an existing building in a 200-acre commercial and residential development called the Rim. About $32 million in capital improvements will be made to the environmentally friendly, 150,000-square-foot structure.

Medtronic officially announced the decision at a press conference in San Antonio Monday that drew Texas Gov. Rick Perry, San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger and members of the City Council.