Construction starts on $250M greenhouse project

A Canadian company planning to invest $250 million to build a high-tech vegetable greenhouse operation in Wapakoneta hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today.

Golden Fresh Farms broke ground on its “state-of-the-art” greenhouses in the West Central Ohio Industrial Center near Interstate 75 and U.S. 3. The greenhouses will allow the company to grow vegetables year-round.

The company says the project will take seven to 10 years to build. The first phase of work will encompass 20 acres of land under glass and an $100 million investment.

The company will hire 52 people for the first phase and expect to have more than 400 jobs when the final phase is added.

“We are very pleased and excited the Golden Fresh Farms has selected our community for this project,” said Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh in a release. “Wapakoneta is known for many good things. Now we will be home to one of the largest, most modern, fully sustainable growers of vegetables in the nation.”

Once completed, the company’s owner said around 200 acres would be under glass.

Golden Fresh Farms currently operates 100 acres of state-of-the-art, high-tech greenhouse facilities in Kingsville, Ontario. Their operations include seeding, harvesting, packaging and shipping to ensure freshness and quality, according to a media release.

“Golden Fresh Farms’ new state-of-the-art facility in Wapakoneta will provide a unique opportunity for agricultural workers within our state to remain in Ohio year round,” said Jeff Hoagland, president and chief executive officer for Dayton Development Coalition. “The indoor greenhouse can extend the growing season for produce, but also allow this workforce year-round employment opportunities.”

Golden Fresh Farms’ technology allows the company to “control their growing environment, achieve sustainability for the future, integrate pest management programs to eliminate the use of pesticides, recycle water to reduce their environmental footprint, grow all Non-GMO varieties, create CO2 through waste heat,” according to a media release.

Wapakoneta is located 59 miles north of Dayton.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APPS for breaking news.