NPD Group to renovate Port Washington headquarters

The NPD Group Inc., a consumer research company, wants to renovate its headquarters in Port Washington and is seeking help from Nassau County.

Officials at the county’s industrial development agency said Tuesday they expect to consider an application from NPD on Thursday night.

NPD is seeking a $490,000 sales-tax break on construction materials, machinery and furniture for improvements to its office at 900 W. Shore Rd. The $8-million project calls for a new building entrance and expanded space for a data center, which will be based on Long Island.

The company has offices around the globe and had considered an offer from Ireland for the data center, IDA officials said.

Locating the center in Port Washington will add 10 jobs to NPD’s local workforce of about 500 people. The yearly payroll is estimated at $46 million, records show.

“This is a marquee company,” IDA executive director Joseph J. Kearney said. “I hope their application will be approved by the board … To me, this is a no-brainer.”

NPD already receives a break on property taxes under a Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement signed with the IDA in 2007. That deal would not be affected by the company’s new aid request.

An NPD spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.