Source:  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 11/18/09

A regional producer of bottled water from natural springs is expanding its production facility and adding jobs in western North Carolina.

Gov. Beverly Perdue announced Wednesday that North Cove Springs of Marion will expand the McDowell County facility. The company will invest more than $6.3 million and create 138 jobs.

The expansion was made possible through a $310,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

North Cove Springs taps water from natural springs. It markets and distributes the spring water and naturally flavored water beverages to regional and national retailers.

The new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $28,141, not including benefits. That's more than the county average wage of $27,976.