DEKALB -- Corning Inc. is undertaking a $14 million expansion that they say will help retain 250 jobs.

At their May 4 meeting, the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency approved a sales tax exemption and another tax break in the form of a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Corning to assist with the expansion.

Corning officials say they are investing approximately $14 million facility improvements and new machinery and equipment at the plant.

The expansion, which will add approximately 14,000 square feet of new space to the facility, includes production equipment, material storage, office and production space and will support the approximately 250 jobs at the plant.

The PILOT will be on the new facilities constructed as a project and will result in approximately $250,000 in new payments to the town, county and school over the 10-year period of the agreement.

The Corning Canton plant has been in operation for over 50 years, having opened in 1966, making mirror blanks for telescopes and other optics applications.

In 2014 Corning underwent a $21.5 million expansion in 2014 that added 16,000 feet to the facility and was expected to create about for positions.

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