Beaver Paper, makers of digital and specialty paper products, will open a facility in McDowell County, N.C., creating 45 new jobs and investing $4.7 million over the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $100,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.

Beaver Paper produces a wide range of paper products, including those used in sewn-products manufacturing, dye-sublimation printing and wide-format imaging. While wage will vary, the expected average weekly wage of the new jobs is $817 plus benefits, which is significantly higher than the McDowell County average weekly wage of $477, not including benefits.

"Western North Carolina has a long heritage as a manufacturing region, with a special emphasis on papermaking, textiles and furniture manufacturing," said Philip Prieur, president and CEO of Beaver Paper. "We recognize the value of these skills, and can put them to excellent use to benefit both the company and the people of Western North Carolina."

The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in recruiting and expanding quality jobs by providing financial assistance to businesses or industries deemed by the governor to be vital to a healthy and growing state economy. Through the use of this Fund, 17,000 jobs and $2 billion in investment have been created since 2001.