Nature’s Earth Pellets plans to open a facility in the former Eaton facility in Laurinburg, Scotland County officials announced on Wednesday.

The company plans to invest more than $12 million and create 98 jobs over the next three years.

Nature’s Earth Pellets produces animal litter, animal bedding, and fuel pellets made from recycled wood waste.

"We are very happy to have Nature’s Earth locate in Scotland County," said county Board of Commissioner Chairman J.D. Willis "We need every job we can get and this will be a tremendous help to offset the recent job losses. We will continue to work harder to attract more jobs.”

The 98 new jobs will pay a minimum average wage of $29,362, not including benefits. That is higher than the Scotland County average wage of $28,704.

“This is the best possible news and it couldn't come at a better time for our community," Laurinburg Mayor Matthew Block said. "I congratulate the Scotland County Economic Development team for this tremendous achievement. The city of Laurinburg eagerly looks forward to welcoming Nature’s Earth Pellets into our community.”

Scotland County Economic Developer, Greg Icard said the announcement was made possible in part by a $196,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. All of these grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

Icard said North Carolina's Southeast Partnership in Elizabethtown was awarded a $25,000 grant that was also instrumental in helping "make the deal a success." The partnership referred Nature’s Earth to Scotland County.

Icard said other partners in the deal were the North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, and Richmond Community College.

“We all understand the importance of jobs in the community and we are excited about the opportunity this new investment brings to our citizens,” Icard said. “The county has worked diligently to acquire these new jobs and thanks to this directed focus, we have been successful. We are well positioned for growth in the future and we continue to look for ways to maximize our efforts so that we remain successful.”

State leaders said in addition to the jobs, they were pleased with the company's commitment to the environment. Nature’s Earth Products, headquartered in Florida, produces Feline Pine, a natural-product cat litter, as well as a variety of environmentally-friendly products including Equine Pine bedding and Freedom Fuel pellet stove fuel. The company is nation’s largest supplier of natural cat litter.

“North Carolina’s forward-looking policies continue to attract companies specializing in emerging green-industry markets,” Gov. Bev. Perdue said in a statement. “Our state’s skilled workforce, top-rated business climate and extraordinary quality of life offer the perfect environment for businesses like this one to locate and expand here.”

The Laurinburg plant will be the company's first facility in North Carolina.

“We are very excited to be locating our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Carolina,” said company spokesman Ken Simard. “The assistance and cooperation by Gov. Perdue's office made our decision to locate in Laurinburg extremely easy. We’re confident our partnership with the state and Scotland County will enable us to meet or exceed our growth targets over the next three years.”