A firm uses 70 percent common stock and 30 percent debt to finance its operations. The after-tax cost of debt is 5.4 percent and the cost of equity is 15.4 percent. Management is considering a project that will produce a cash inflow of $36,000 in the first year. The cash inflows will then grow at 3 percent per year forever. What is the maximum amount the firm can initially invest in this project to avoid a negative net present value for the project?

a. $299,032

b. $382,979

c. $$411,406

d. $434,086

e. $441,414