A sale of the abruptly abandoned Farm Fresh site on Premier Boulevard is in the works, Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott told city council this evening.

The comments regarding the Farm Fresh building were made during an update Scott gave council during its work session.

Scott said a company that looked at the demographics of Roanoke Rapids contacted her office to discuss the site. “They’re making a large retail commitment,” she said. “They’re going to put the abandoned facility back to use.”

Scott said following her presentation she could not discuss specific details of the plan but that it would be for retail use and that the main building that was planned to be the Farm Fresh grocery store would serve as the anchor and the surrounding buildings would eventually be occupied by other retail stores. “They’re trying to do their due diligence to close.”

The news comes as Scott announced to city council that 2012, for the first time, saw retail sales in the county reach more than $400 million, precisely $416,182,317. The same figure in 2007 was $331,632,714.

Scott also said the development commission continues to look for uses for the old Westpoint Stevens building. “We have not reached an agreement with the owner to get a reasonable purchase price.”

She said the building could continue to serve as a textile plant or meet other manufacturing needs. “Textiles are not dead. New technologies are being developed. There are a number of different textile options that could be looked at. We need to work to fill that void.”

Scott said outside the meeting the county is still in negotiation with the current owner of the building.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said following the meeting the city is looking for any opportunity to develop the Westpoint building.

On the Farm Fresh news, he said, “We’re very excited about hearing that piece of property is going to be put back into the economy and be part of the tax base.”

Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee said he was pleased with the news. “I believe any new development in the economy is wise and is a good, positive move. I’m glad the indicators are heading in the right direction.”