An Austrian-based company announced it will build a major new plant in Davidson County.
EGGER wood products expects to invest $700 million, according to Gov. Roy Cooper's office. The goal is to hire 400 employees over the next six years, and another 370 during a second wave of hiring.
The county's deep roots in furniture manufacturing gave it the edge in landing the plant. It will be EGGER's first U.S. facility and will be used to produce particleboard products.
EGGER makes laminate flooring and materials for furniture, interior design and construction, according to the company's web site.
The governor's office says salaries for the new jobs will average around $40,000, which is higher than the county's average annual wage of about $37,000.
Lexington Mayor Newell Clark announced that the plant will be the first client in a new 400-acre industrial park on Interstate 85 at the Belmont Road exit near Linwood.