Sara Lee Corporation has granted a request to extend a deadline beforemaking a decision on the fate of a factory in northeastern Iowa. U-S SenatorChuck Grassley had appealed to the company president on behalf of the 650workers at the New Hampton plant. Grassley says the 30-day extension willprovide some much needed breathing room.Grassley says he’s optimistic a solution will be reached that can keep thedesert pie-making plant open.If the decision is made to close the plant, Sara Lee officials say it wouldtake at least six months to accomplish the orderly transfer of productlines.With the extension, the plant managers and union leaders now have until July2nd to reach an alternative solution.