Apple may be getting close to opening its $1 billion data center near Charlotte.

The computing and electronics giant posted job openings this week on its web site for the facility in Maiden, about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Apple picked the town of about 3,500 residents in Catawba County last July to build its data center, scheduled for completion sometime this year.

The company said it would hire 50 full-time employees there. Apple's web site shows 11 openings in Maiden, two in Charlotte and one in Hickory

In Maiden, Apple is looking to hire engineers, technicians and supervisors.

A prepared-foods factory in Catawba County will add 500 jobs over the next three years, providing another bright spot for the state's economy.

The Pierre Foods plant already employs more than 700 workers at the Claremont facility, about 170 miles west of Raleigh. The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of $26,467.

The Cincinnati-based company is seeing increasing demand for its pre-cooked meats and ready-to-eat sandwiches that found in vending machines, convenience stores and at other locations.

The state will give the company a $600,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, Gov. Bev Perdue's office announced this afternoon. That fund's money requires matching grants from local officials.

Los Angeles private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management took control of Pierre Foods in December 2008 after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Gov. Beverly Perdue will make what her office is calling a "significant" jobs announcement today at 3 p.m. in Catawba County.

Although the governor's office isn't saying what company is involved, the announcement is taking place at a location in Claremont that is home to a Pierre Foods plant.

The Cincinnati company makes pre-cooked meats and ready-to-eat sandwiches that you find in vending machines and at other locations.

Los Angeles private equity company Oaktree Capital Management took control of Pierre Foods in December 2008.

Pierre filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2008. The company said it was being hurt by the rising cost of raw materials.

Pierre emerged from bankruptcy protection in December 2008.

Pierre recently received a $275 million loan to refinance its debt. The debt was sold to investors.