Siemens Energy to expand in Wendell, add 139 jobs

Siemens Energy plans to expand its Wendell operations and add 139 high-paying jobs over the next four years.

State officials today approved a grant and tax credits worth as much as $2.9 million, which Siemens will receive if it meets hiring goals.

The company also will be required to retain 262 existing jobs. The Wendell facility is involved with developing smart grid technology, and is seeing a surge in demand.

The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of $88,883. That's higher than the Wake County average of $42,692, Gov. Bev Perdue's office noted in a news release.

Siemens also considered expansion in Mississippi and Florida, said officials with the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The company, which is a subsidiary of the German conglomerate, announced expansion plans in Charlotte last year. That will add about 1,000 people to Siemens' workforce there by 2014.