DANVILLE -- Some 175 workers are on the job as a Swedish furniture maker officially opens its 930,000-square-foot manufacturing center today in economically depressed Southside Virginia.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will be in Danville this morning to help Swedwood celebrate the opening of its Danville plant. The company is a subsidiary of IKEA, and the plant will make several lines for the home furnishings giant.

Swedwood North America president Bengt Danielsson said the plant expects to employ about 300 by the end of 2009. In 10 to 15 years, it could expand to have 800 workers.

IKEA spokesman Joseph Roth said infrastructure was in place for the plant, and Swedwood was offered $6.4 million in state money.

Swedwood has 40 plants worldwide, but the Danville operation is its only unit in North America.

-- The Associated Press