HICKORY, N.C. -- The governor of North Carolina says a furniture maker plans to open a manufacturing facility in the state, creating around 200 jobs over five years.
Citing a statement from Gov. Roy Cooper's office, the Charlotte Observer reports that Design Foundry plans to invest more than $3.1 million in the Hickory project. In exchange, it says, the state awarded the company a grant worth up to $1.5 million.
Design Foundry plans to manufacture upholstered furniture in partnership with a major furniture and home goods retailer. Design Foundry will hire craftspeople and workers with STEM experience. The statement says salaries for positions will pay around $57,000 on average, which is higher than Catawba County's average salary of around $41,000.
The statement says the project is estimated to grow the state's economy by $320 million.
