Halifax Linen Service will have until the end of February to comply with job creation requirements it is supposed to meet after receiving One North Carolina grant funds in 2006.

Under the grant the company had three years to create 81 new jobs. Thus far, with the bad economy, it has only created 46 jobs, said Kathy Scott, Halifax County economic development director. “Once things turn around, the company thinks it can meet the commitment,” she told city council at its meeting tonight.

The state approved the extension, Scott said, and after her presentation, council did the same.

The grant funds were part of an expansion plan at the company’s Roanoke Rapids production plant and a plan for the construction of three new distribution centers around the state, a $1.6 million investment.

Since the grant, the company has invested $900,000 in its expansion, Scott told council.

The expansion was made possible in part by an $81,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. The  money represents $1,000 per job, for each of the 81 positions the company's expansion was expected to create.

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners contributed $50,000 in matching funds and the city allocated $30,426 for the project when it was announced in 2006.

Council unanimously approved the extension.

In an unrelated matter tonight, council approved allowing Holland Consulting Planners to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund improvements in the Vine Street community.

The consulting company will apply for $850,000 for the project, said its representative, Danny McKewon.

Councilman Carl Ferebee said following the meeting if the grant is approved it would allow people who live in dilapidated housing in the community to relocate and allow the demolition of those homes along with other improvements.

Ferebee said it not known how many people it would affect but said the grant money, if approved, should cover the project.

Vine Street is right off U.S. 158, a road with heavy traffic running through the city and one of the locations the city would like to improve, Ferebee said.