$1.$ The Clayton Manufacturing Company is considering an investment in a new automated inventory system for its warehouse that will provide cash savings to the firm over the next eight years. The firm$$s CFO anticipates additional earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization $($EBITDA$)$ from cost savings equal to $$220,000$ for the first year of operation of the centre; over the next seven years, the firm estimates that this amount will grow at a rate of $6\%$ per year. The system will require an initial investment of $$600,000$ that will be depreciated over an eight$-$year period using straight$-$line depreciation of $$75,000$ per year and a zero estimated salvage value. The firm$$s tax rate is $35\%$ and the cost of capital for the project is $12\%.$

What is the earnings before interest and taxes $($EBIT$)$ for the project in year $2?$

A$.$ $$158,200$ B$.$ $$168,200$ C$.$ $$178,200$ D$.$ $$188,200$