NATCHEZ — Rentech, Inc., has asked the county to extend the deadline by which it must sign to purchase 450 acres for their development.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors approved at their Monday meeting moving the deadline from Dec. 1 to April 1.

Last week the coal-to-liquid facility committed to buy the land that the county will first purchase from International Paper.

Joe Regnery, director of project development for Rentech, said he could not comment as to why the acquisition date had been changed.

This move does not mean Rentech is trying to delay the project though, local leaders said.

“The project is moving forward. They are committed to Adams County,” board President Darryl Grenell said.

Rentech has said they are aiming for a 2012 opening of the Natchez facility, which will employ between 200 and 300 people. Construction work is expected to require nearly 2,000 workers.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board heard from county extension office director David Carter.

Carter was given the go-ahead, by the board, to seek bids for the refurbishment of Chester Willis Field.

The Liberty Road ballpark, is scheduled to undergo a facelift including new bleachers, bathrooms and a new fence.

Carter proposed the plan at last month’s meeting and said Monday he is in the research phase of the project.

Over the next three weeks Carter will gather bids from various contractors to present to the board.

Carter also talked to the board about his work organizing a day of amnesty for household waste.

Working with the Department of Environmental Quality, Carter intends to collect items such as lead based paints and various chemicals.