You are thinking of making an investment in a new factory. The factory will generate revenues of

$ 1 comma 740 comma 000$1,740,000

per year for as long as you maintain it. You expect that the maintenance costs will start at

$ 90 comma 480$90,480

per year and will increase

5 %5%

per year thereafter. Assume that all revenue and maintenance costs occur at the end of the year. You intend to run the factory as long as it continues to make a positive cash flow (as long as the cash generated by the plant exceeds the maintenance costs). The factory can be built and become operational immediately and the interest rate is

6 %6%

per year.

a. What is the present value of the maintenance costs?