An Israeli foam maker plans to open a North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Louisburg, creating 72 jobs.

State officials promised Palziv North America a grant worth up to $250,000 if it meets its hiring goals. The company is owned by Palziv Ltd., which has manufacturing facilities in Israel, Romania, Ohio and Canada.

The company was drawn to Franklin County partly by an empty building it will use as a base to serve customers in North and South America. This region's educated workforce was also a lure, said Gregory Brooker, Palziv North America's CEO.

The site, located about 35 miles northeast of Raleigh, will produce polyethylene foam blocks and pellets used in vehicle insulation, construction materials and other applications.

The project's 72 jobs will pay average annual salaries of $34,167, higher than the Franklin County average of $33,176, Gov. Bev Perdue's office wrote in a prepared statement.