The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, N.C.
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A furniture plant that shut down in December will reopen as a factory for Kepley Frank Hardwoods, which expects to create about 200 jobs within the next three years, officials said.

Steve Googe, executive director of the Davidson County Economic Development Commission, unveiled the plans for Lexington Home Brands Plant No. 2 at a city council meeting Monday night.

As part of a city incentives package, the owners must invest $4.1 million in the plant, machinery and equipment. In return, the city of Lexington will grant the company more than $11,000 a year in incentives for five years.

Jimmy Kepley, president of the company, said his employees will earn about the same wages as former Lexington Home Brands workers.

Googe and Kepley planned to meet with Davidson County commissioners Tuesday night for another public hearing, where Kepley Frank Hardwoods may receive more incentives. The county is considering paying the company up to $11,070 per year in incentives for five years.

The company plans to use the factory to expand its lumber drying and distribution for domestic and foreign markets and to diversify its product mix, Googe said.

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Information from: The Dispatch,