(RALEIGH) -- A frozen desserts maker plans to open a new bakery in Robeson County.  Steven Roberts Original Desserts and Ticklebelly plans to create 342 jobs and invest $4 million over the next five years in Pembroke.

Gov. Beverly Perdue made the announcement while making a stop in Robeson County on her statewide jobs tour.  She confirmed that Steven Roberts is eligible for a $392,000 state grant.

“We are working hard every day to bring jobs to the people of North Carolina - in particular, the areas that have been hit hardest by the economic recession,” said Gov. Perdue.

The company plans to purchase and renovate a building in Pembroke to become their third bakery. This new facility will allow expanded production, add manufacturing and shipping redundancy and facilitate scaling dessert production to each client’s needs.

“Steven Roberts Original Desserts and Ticklebelly are thrilled to be a part of the Pembroke community,” said Charles Kosmont, chairman of the company. “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, and we look forward to having our Pembroke team members help us to continue to be first to market with innovative, trendsetting desserts.”