OKOLONA – The old Futorian Building that makes up most of United Furniture Industries’ Okolona manufacturing facility here is getting much-needed fixes.

And with the improvements come at least 100 new furniture jobs, the company announced Monday.

Doug Hanby, the company’s chief financial officer, said grants totaling nearly $1.3 million will help fix the roof and sprinkler system in the 575,000-square-foot building.

United’s Okolona operations total about 650,000 square feet.

“The grant monies we received will enable needed improvements to this facility,” Hanby said, “and we are excited about this opportunity to expand our business and create new jobs in the Chickasaw County area.”

Helping with the grants and expansion were the Mississippi Development Authority, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Chickasaw County and the city of Okolona.

MDA provided $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding and the ARC kicked in $190,000.

Okolona was approved for the CDBG in August and had to complete environmental requirements before officially getting the grant.

“It is with great pride that I thank United Furniture for choosing to expand right here in Okolona,” Mayor Louise Cole said in a press release. “United Furniture has been an asset to our community for years, and the creation of these new jobs will benefit many individuals and their families in our area.”

Chickasaw County’s unemployment rate in August was 13 percent.

United which makes upholstered stationary and motion sofas and recliners, employs about 1,400 workers at its operations in Okolona, Amory and Hatley. The company also has North Carolina facilities in Archdale and High Point.

Hanby said hiring of the 100 workers already has begun, but work on the Futorian Building will start later.

“We’re working on the engineering design now and hope to have the bids advertised soon,” he said.

Contact Dennis Seid at (601) 353-3119 or dennis.seid@djournal.com.