RALEIGH — Titan America plans to create 161 jobs at a new cement plant it will build in Castle Hayne in New Hanover County, the governor's office announced today.

The Virginia-based company expects to invest $469 million and will pay employees an average annual wage of $72,068 — more than twice the average New Hanover County average wage, according to the governor's office.

"Our top-ranked business climate and skilled workforce have attracted thousands of manufacturing businesses, which in turn help provide good jobs and a high quality of life that our residents have come to expect," Gov. Mike Easley said in a prepared statement.

Titan America was lured in part by a $300,000 state grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

The Virginia-based company employs more than 2,000 workers throughout the eastern United States and Canada.

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