Two public hearings before the Halifax County Board of Commissioners today centered on economic development projects.

One public hearing was for established projects — the Reser's Fine Foods expansion and Empire Foods — and the other was to approve an option to buy more than 400 acres of land in Enfield for a manufacturing firm the county is negotiating with.

No one spoke at either public hearing and commissioners approved both proposals.

The first public hearing was for construction of sewer improvements to benefit Reser's and Empire Foods.

The total cost of the project, according to documents contained in today's agenda package, is not to exceed $4,165,744.

The Reser's project is expected to be funded through the following sources:

$929,141 from state Department of Commerce funds

$814,530 in state Rural Economic Development Center funds

$500,000 in state Department of Commerce Industrial Development funds.

The Empire Foods Project is expected to be funded through the following sources:

Federal Department of Commerce Funds of $779,203

North Carolina Rural Center funds of $1 million

Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District funds of $50,0000

The county is expected to fund $92,870. That money will be for both projects.

Meanwhile, county Economic Development Director Cathy Scott presented a proposal to the board for the county to buy an option for 408 acres of land located off Highway 301 in Enfield.

According to documents contained in the agenda package, $25,000 is to be paid to buy the option.

The option will be applied to the total price of the land of $1,550,000. The option money will come from the county's fund balance.

The company, if negotiations are successful, would employ 350 people, Scott said.