Work set to begin at Window Fashion

After nearly three years of negotiations, waiting, and sometimes doubt, the first concrete steps toward finally converting the former Rugged Sportswear plant in Littleton into a renovated facility for Window Fashion Resources Inc. are about to proceed.

That is because the contracts between Halifax County and the company’s owners have been signed.

Halifax County Manager Matthew L. Delk said late last Thursday all parties had agreed to the project, signed the contracts, and work would begin shortly by Heaton Construction Inc., a Roanoke Rapids firm.

Heaton, which won the bid for the renovation and upgrading of the facility, will be able to start work on the project Friday. That is when the county is officially starting the construction clock, according to Delk.

That gives Heaton ten days to begin work on the site and 150 days to finish the job and be ready to hand the keys over to Window Fashion. Unless there are some unexpected delays along the way, that means the project should be completed by Jan. 21.

The Observer’s attempts to reach the owners of Window Fashion -– Don and Cindy Yauger – have not been successful, so there is no word as yet on when the hiring process might begin at the plant.

In an October 2006 interview at the Littleton facility, Don Yauger said once construction work started, he expected to be ready to operate within 180 days.

The firm is committed to being up and running with at least 100 people employed at an average rate of $11 within three years of the building being turned over to the owners.

“All parties involved in this project worked very hard to bring jobs to Littleton and to fill a vacant building with a fruitful business,” Delk said.

The building’s purchase and construction is being funded primarily by a combination of state grants totaling $776,150, with any additional cost to be borne by Window Fashion.

The project was first announced by North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley in September 2004 has part of a larger initiative to bring economic development to the northeast portion of North Carolina.

It has been delayed several times while grants were being secured. Delk said not only have county officials worked long and hard to bring the project to Littleton, but he said town officials have rolled up their sleeves and pitched in, doing whatever was necessary to land the plant.

There was some fear recently when negotiations between the Yaugers and Halifax officials hit a snag over a nearly $1.2 million construction bid by Heaton.

After negotiating with county officials – and nearly pulling out of the deal – the Yaugers and Halifax County were able to reach a compromise that pared the construction work, but kept the cost within the $776,150 grant package.

The county board of commissioners voted on Aug. 6 to accept the contract, and all parties signed the document last week.