A Hickory, North Carolina-based furniture company will open a new manufacturing facility in Catawba County.

Design Foundry LLC plans to invest $1.3 million in the project, expected to create 202 jobs over the next five years, according to a North Carolina Department of Commerce press release.

The furniture manufacturer will hire craftspeople in addition to those with education or experience in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing fields. Salaries for the new jobs average at $57,995, nearly 40 percent higher than the county average.

The new facility will be partially facilitated by a new Job Development Investment Grant approved by the Economic Investment Committee earlier this week.

The grant is estimated to grow North Carolina’s economy by an estimated $320 million in its 12-year span.

“We believe Catawba County can be at the forefront of combining innovative technology with the artisan craft,” company CEO Eric Fulcher said. “We are excited about the opportunities this will create for everyone.”

Design Foundry plans to emphasize the strong tradition of handmade furniture combined with new technology in manufacturing. It will partner with an unnamed furniture and home goods retailer.

The press release can be found here.