Ignore income taxes in this problem. Neighbor Corporation is considering a project that would require an investment of $$279,000$ and would last for $8$ years. The annual revenue and expenses generated by the project during those $8$ years would be as follows:

Sales $q,$ $$224,000$

Variable expenses. $q,22,{000}_{?}$

Contribution margin $q,202,{000}_{?}$

Fixed expenses:

Salaries $25,000$

Rent $38,000$

Depreciation $q,33,{000}_{?}$

Total fixed expenses $q,96,{000}_{?}$

Net operating income. $$106,{000}_{?}$ $$106,{000}_{?}$

The scrap value of the project's assets at the end of the project would be $$15,000.$ The cash inflows occur evenly throughout the year. The payback period of the project is closest to :

$2\mathrm{.}0$ years

$2\mathrm{.}6$ years

$2\mathrm{.}5$ years

$1\mathrm{.}9$ years