NGK Ceramics USA, which makes ceramic filters for auto engines, announced Tuesday it will invest $93 million to expand its Mooresville plant, creating 86 jobs over the next three years.

The office of Gov. Beverly Perdue issued the announcement, saying the project was made possible in part by a $160,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Japan-based NGK was one of the first Japanese companies to open a plant in North Carolina. The Mooresville plant opened in 1988

NGK Automotive Ceramics USA is a subsidiary of NGK Insulators Ltd., located in Nagoya, Japan. NGK Automotive Ceramics USA supplies all major automobile and heavy duty diesel manufacturers with high-performance precision ceramic components for diesel and gasoline engine emission control systems.

More than 540 people currently work at the Mooresville plant. The new jobs come with salaries that vary by job function, averaging $38,416 annually, plus benefits. The Iredell County average annual wage is $37,492.

“We would like to thank the State and Local governments for their support which helped secure this investment for our Mooresville plant,” Tomokazu “Tony” Asai, president of NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, said in a press release. “NGK continues to find Mooresville as a desirable location with an excellent workforce, a good transportation infrastructure and outstanding support from the community and local businesses.”

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs, according to the governor’s office. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

For more information about NGK Ceramics USA, including job opportunities, go to www.ngk-detroit.com.