SILER CITY — Published reports say the3M Company, which already owns land near Pittsboro, is rumored to be considering a site near Siler City for a manufacturing plant.

Some of the folks cruising into one of town's hot spots Friday for a hot lunch could hardly contain their excitement about the possibility.

"They told us it is going to be the biggest deal that has ever hit Siler City, yes sir," says Mayor Pro Tem Charles Turner. "I've been told that everybody here would just love it."

TheRaleigh News & Observersays Minnesota based 3M is "strongly considering" buying the land.

The facility would employ hundreds, but the company says the rumors are "flatly false."

The land in question is owned by local cattleman Howard Horney.

"Numerous people are interested in it, at least 15 people," he said. When asked if he believed that anybody was ready to buy the land, Horney replied, "No, I don't know anything, and I don't believe anything."

In addition to 3M's denial, theState Department of Commerceand Siler City's Economic Development Corporation will not comment.

Siler City's planning director did say there is a request to rezone the farmland from agricultural to industrial.