By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- Corning Inc. plans to add 16,000 square feet to its Canton facility with the possibility of creating jobs, according to company spokesman Joe Dunning.

"We are planning an expansion at the Canton facility and we are hoping to break ground in spring. Our target to complete the project is in the fall, but that could all change," he said.

The Canton plant manufactures and sells specialty glass product for uses ranging from aeronautics to optic fiber.

Dunning said the addition could lead to the creation of new jobs in the next few years, but that is always going to be dependent on the market.

"The reason for the expansion is that Corning is experiencing growth in our customer base," he said.

The addition will be used for production and storage.

Dunning said jobs at the Canton plant fluctuate with the market.

"We have had hires there and we have had to cut back there. That's the nature of the market," he said.

Dunning said Corning is also expanding its environmental technologies business, which focus on emissions control devices for vehicles and manufacturing plants.

"We are a very diverse company," he said. "We've been in business for 160 years and we are hoping to be in business in 160 more."

Dunning said further details regarding the expansion were not available at this time, but figures on job creation would likely be available as the project moves forward.