RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Volvo is breaking ground on its first factory in North America - a $500 million facility in Berkeley County and about 30 miles northwest of Charleston.

The automaker announced earlier this year that the new plant should be in operation in three years and could eventually employ as many as 4,000 workers.

Gov. Nikki Haley and Volvo's North American CEO Lex Kerssemakers are scheduled to attend the groundbreaking at the plant site at midday on Friday.

The state is borrowing $123 million to fund the site preparation and an interchange on Interstate 26 for the plant.

The company says the vehicles built in South Carolina will be both sold domestically and exported through the Port of Charleston.