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Ameritox, a firm that conducts medical tests, is the company seeking $277,500 in economic incentives, according to county documents.

The Baltimore-based company could create 228 full-time jobs in Guilford County and invest $26 million in property and equipment, according to an agenda for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners’ meeting Sept. 17.

Ameritox specializes in urine tests for chronic-pain patients receiving medication from physicians. Part of its mission is to monitor patients for abuse or addiction to pain medication.

It’s unclear why the company is considering Guilford County or whether it’s looking at other sites. A company spokeswoman declined to comment and representatives of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, which recruits new companies, declined to speak about the request.

Guilford commissioners will review the incentives request at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 during a hearing. The public will have a chance to speak on the $277,500 that would be paid to the company over three years.

Sometime after commissioners discuss and vote on the incentives request, the company will determine whether to locate here.

Commissioner Carolyn Coleman said the company would offer an average salary of at least $44,000.

This incentives review will happen on the same night that commissioners are expected to discuss a separate incentives plan that would offer money to companies that add to the county’s property tax base. If commissioners approve that plan, then Ameritox could receive an additional benefit.

Community officials have said in recent months that they are targeting biotechnology companies to help fuel an economic recovery here.

Pain treatment is an increasing focus in health care. Doctors must be careful to treat pain adequately while not creating a chemical dependency, the two primary issues covered by the International Association for Pain and Chemical Dependency.
Ameritox is a member of the group, which says that one of its goals is “developing strategies and practices that decrease the misuse or diversion of controlled substances while supporting their appropriate use in medical care.”

An Ameritox news release in January said its test product “RxGuardian empowers health care providers to efficiently and accurately treat patients more effectively and helps document their efforts to prevent abuse, addiction, and dangerous drug to drug interactions.”

To help encourage the growth of such companies, UNCG and N.C. A&T are building the Gateway University Research Park as a place to support innovation and become a home for companies such as Ameritox.

Contact Richard M. Barron at 373-7371 or richard.barron@news-record.com

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com