Halifax County took one more step last week to ensure that Window Fashion Resources (WFR) would be the new tenant in the old Rugged Sportswear building on the East end of Littleton, by agreeing to bid out the renovation for the roof. The contracts have already been signed between the county and WFR.
It has been almost three years since North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced that the California firm wanted to open its east coast operation in Littleton.
At the time of the original announcement, company said it would be creating 100 jobs that are scheduled to pay $487 per week. Since then that figure has been lowered to 85 jobs within three years of opening.
The contracts between Halifax County and WFR have now been signed and the county is moving forward to complete renovation for the new facility.
The time frame for the opening of WFR has been adjusted many times. Funding has presented several problems, with enough grant money finally being secured earlier this year. As it stands now the renovation construction bidding should be completed shortly and could be awarded within 30 days.
WFR President Don Yauger said last September that it would take about 180 days to get the plant ready after the building is renovated and turned over to his firm.
Littleton Mayor Mason Hawfield and Don Willis Littleton Economic Development Coordinator have spent years trying to get the plant open. In February of this year the Littleton Board of Commissioners approved an economic incentive package that included the town paying Halifax County $25,000 a year for two years and agreeing to allow the county to keep 75 percent of the taxes paid by WFR for the next ten years.
When all is said and done WFR is expected to have a payroll exceeding $2 million per year. Littleton merchants will undoubtedly benefit from this new revenue source for the area. The obvious beneficiaries of the new plant will be the eateries in town. If past statistics hold true there could be over $200,000 a year in new business for local restaurants.
Other businesses could also benefit from the new influx of workers to the Littleton area. The gas stations, drug store, grocery and convenience stores and gift shops should also share in the success of the new manufacturing plant in town. The Piggly-Wiggly, which is in the process of expanding, is an ideal stop for those new employees who need to pick up something from the store on the way home.
One of the benefits Littleton merchants have to offer for the new workers is the ease of shopping. With parking close to the stores customers can be in and out of almost any store in a few minutes without having to drive around to find a parking space or wait in long lines to check out. With this in mind plant employees would be able to take part of their lunch hour to shop for needed products.
It may be early 2008 before WFR opens, if so it could be the first of many good years for Littleton merchants.