Hanil E Hwa Interior Systems announced plans for expansion and the creation of a new assembly line in a news conference Monday.

The company is investing an estimated $6.5 million into the ventures, which are expected to create 10 new jobs.

“I am very excited about this new opportunity for us,” said Hanil E Hwa President S.G. Lee. “While many companies are trying to survive this downturn in the economy, we are very lucky to see a good future for us.”

The company will convert a new, recently purchased building in the Craig Industrial Park into a distribution center for raw materials. Lee said it is hoped the building will be ready by year’s end. The new assembly line will be used to supply Hyundai with interior door trims for its new Sonata model.

“To get a company that thinks enough of the community to expand is a very good thing,” said Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Dallas County Economic Development Authority. “It gives our people jobs, but it also kind of entrenches the company more in the community. It’s a sign from them of support from the community vice-versa.”

The announcement is the third positive piece of economic news Dallas County has received in less than a week. Meadowcraft was purchased by Fitchburg, Wis.-based Home Casuals Wednesday and Castle Rock Industries broke ground on its new biodiesel plant Thursday.

Selma Mayor George Evans and Sen. Hank Sanders both said each piece of good news has strengthened their belief that the county has turned a corner.

“It’s a signal and a sign that nobody’s going anywhere,” said Evans. “We’re going to stay put here with the businesses we have in place. “The economy now dictates that most people are going under. We’re going up. We’ve been blessed.”

Sanders added, “When times are really tough, we all for look for any sign of hope. And this is a sign of hope. It seems like the pieces of the economic puzzle are falling into place, and I like what we see. We’re not just hitting the bottom. We’re bouncing back.”