(RALEIGH) -- A plastic packaging company plans to expand its operations in Haywood County.  Sonoco Plastics Inc. will add 35 jobs and invest $11.7 million in the Waynesville project over the next three years.

Gov. Bev Perdue confirmed that the expansion was made possible in part by a $140,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “Companies, like Sonoco Plastics, which already have operations in North Carolina, know we have a top-notch business climate, skilled workforce and excellent job training programs,” said Gov. Perdue.

Sonoco Products Company and Sonoco Plastics currently employ 331 people in North Carolina at facilities located in Alamance, Caldwell, Catawba, Craven, Haywood and Rutherford counties. This project will expand Sonoco Plastics’ thermoforming manufacturing line.

“We’ve been pleased with the operations and productivity of our Waynesville plant, and this expansion is good business for us,” said Art Haag, general manager of Sonoco Plastics - Thermforming.