Halifax Linen Service Inc. will expand its facility in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., creating 81 new jobs and investing $1.6 million in the area during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $81,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.

Halifax Linen Service supplies companies in the southeastern United States with commercial linen and uniforms. This expansion project includes construction of a distribution center to allow the company to better serve its customers in the southeast. While wages will vary by job function, the expected average weekly wage of the new jobs is $544 plus benefits, which is more than the Halifax County average weekly wage of $442, not including benefits.

"The expansion opportunity at Halifax Linen Service Inc. was made possible by the strong support of the One North Carolina Fund, our local government and most importantly, by the strong support of our family of employees," said Preston McElheney, president of Halifax Linen Service. "They are the driving force behind the success of our company."

The One North Carolina Fund aids the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs. One North Carolina Fund grants require, and are contingent upon, a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 18,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in investment have been added to the state’s economy since 2001.