DEKALB –Corning’s Canton facility breaks ground for its expansion at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21.

It will take place outside on the plant’s grounds at 334 County Route 16, McAdoo Road.

Representatives of Corning, Inc., state officials, and people from the New York Power Authority and Empire State Development will be on hand.

The $21.5 million, 16,000-square-foot expansion, which promises creation of 40 more jobs, was first announced in January, and more information was released in July, with the announcement of a probable allocation by the New York State Power Authority of 2,100 kilowatts of lower-cost electric power to be used by Corning in support of the expansion and new jobs.

The plant now employs about 235, a figure which is expected to grow by 40 after the addition is finished and hiring is done.

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

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

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science.