CHARLOTTE — Gov. Mike Easley signed legislation yesterday that clears the way for Dole Foods Co. to locate a food-processing plant in Gaston County that could eventually create up to 3,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, a Dole Foods spokeswoman hinted that an announcement could come as soon as Tuesday.

In recent days, state Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston, and House Speaker Jim Black both have said that Dole Foods owner David Murdock was waiting to make an official announcement about his plans until the governor signed legislation to extend the state's economic incentives program.

Terry Thomas, a spokeswoman for Dole Foods, which is based in Westlake Village, Calif., said yesterday that the company would have no comment "until next Tuesday."

The bill, which provides tax credits for job creation in North Carolina, includes provisions that would mean millions of dollars in incentives for Dole Foods if it locates in the state.

Hoyle did not return messages left at his office yesterday. He spoke optimistically about the venture Thursday.

"I'm very confident that we'll see a positive announcement," he said. "It's still on the front burner."

Steve Nye of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission declined to discuss the possible deal.

"If something happens, you will be the first to know," he said yesterday.

The company has been considering building up to two processing plants in Gaston County that could eventually employ 1,500 to 3,000 people. That would be welcome news in a county that has lost 15,000 manufacturing jobs - primarily in textiles - since 1995.

Under the legislation, Dole Foods could receive a tax credit of $7,000 per employee plus an additional $1,000 for every worker it trained.

Dole would also get a tax credit equal to 7 percent of its investment in equipment and machinery.

Requirements for the tax break include employing 300 people within three years of breaking ground. The bill doesn't set wage levels.

Dole Foods sold $5.3 billion worth of food last year.

The company is the largest producer and marketer of fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut flowers in the world.

The company employs 64,000 permanent or seasonal employees.

Read the original story at the The Winston-Salem Journal website.