Unilever plans to expand its factory in Raeford that makes a variety of body washes, shampoos and deodorants, adding 65 jobs over the next three years.

The consumer-products conglomerate and Gov. Bev Perdue's office announced the expansion this afternoon at the Hoke County facility, located about 80 miles southwest of Raleigh.

Unilever will receive a state grant worth up to $195,000 if it meets its latest hiring goals. That grant also requires matching local incentives.

The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of $39,605. The Hoke County average is $25,324.

Unilever also considered expanding its factory in Missouri.

This news stinks for California, but it's sweet for North Carolina.

Unilever announced late Thursday that it will close a manufacturing plant outside Los Angeles, and shift production to facilities in Raeford, N.C., and Jefferson City, Mo. The factories make anti-perspirants and deodorants for Unilever brands such as Axe, Dove, Degree and Suave.

The factory closure in California will cost 61 employees their jobs. As production is shifted next year, it has not yet been determined if it will mean additional jobs at the other facilities, said Unilever spokesman Dean Mastrojohn.

But additional production might mean more job security at the Raeford plant, which opened in 1968 and now employs about 280 people. That plant, with two buildings totaling about 550,000 square feet, is located about 90 miles southeast of Raleigh. It also makes shampoos under Unilever brands.