Emphasizing on sustainably grown products, their vegetables will travel much fewer miles to market, minimizing costs for consumers, maximizing shelf-life.
Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Oasthouse Ventures Ltd., a leading sustainable business development firm in the United Kingdom specializing in low-carbon greenhouses, will invest $104.8 million to construct its first U.S.-based controlled environment agriculture operation in Carroll County. The project will create 118 new jobs.
Over the next three years, the company will produce and package over 31,000 tons tomatoes per year for distribution to major retailers throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest United States. Emphasizing on sustainably grown products, the vegetables will travel much fewer miles to market, minimizing costs for consumers, maximizing shelf-life.
“Oasthouse Ventures’ decision to locate its U.S. operations in Virginia is a testament to the advantages that make the Commonwealth the best location in the country for Controlled Environment Agriculture,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This project is a technological leap forward and helps solidify Virginia as a leader in the agriculture and technology industries. I am pleased to welcome Oasthouse Ventures to Virginia and look forward to their growth.”
“Indoor farming is responsibly changing the way that we make local, sustainable produce for our communities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Not only will Oasthouse Ventures create more than 100 jobs for Virginians, but it will also use local hardwood residuals as a heating source for its greenhouses.…”
“Virginia is proudly the destination of choice for Controlled Environment Agriculture, and we are pleased to welcome Oasthouse Ventures to Carroll County,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “We celebrate Virginia Controlled Environment Agriculture in March to recognize the ways indoor farm operations like Oasthouse boost year-round, local food.” The Virginian Mount Rogers region sits in a strategic location, the project envisions a three-phase buildout, starting with a 65-acre greenhouse at Wildwood Commerce Park focused on tomatoes, a supporting packaging house, and a daycare facility to serve employees.
“This investment is a perfect illustration of all that the US and the UK can do together to prioritize growth for rural communities,” said Lord Mandelson, British Ambassador to the United States. “ Oasthouse Ventures is a great British company and I’m delighted to see them invest in the Virginia economy. I look forward to partnering with Governor Youngkin and his team in future as we continue to deepen and strengthen the economic ties between our two nations.”
“Our Carroll County facility represents a major step toward building a network of large-scale, sustainable indoor farming operations that will supply American-grown fresh produce across the eastern United States,” said Oasthouse Ventures Senior Development Manager Ben Alexander. “Our first greenhouse spanning 65 acres – nearly seven times the footprint of Lane Stadium – is only the beginning of our ambition to reshore fresh produce production closer to the end consumer, whilst creating jobs and prosperity for the region. Our vision is for the very best produce to be grown in the United States using the latest technology. With additional locations in development, we are very excited to play our part in ensuring the United States remain a global leader in agriculture. Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to Governor Youngkin, Secretary Lohr, VEDP, VDACS and BRCEDA for their support throughout this process.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority and Carroll County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $550,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, as well as a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to assist Carroll County with this project.
Support for Oasthouse Ventures’ job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, ranked the No. 1 Customized Workforce Training Program in the United States by Business Facilities in 2024. The program, created by VEDP in collaboration with higher education partners, accelerates new facility startups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.
Photo. © Oasthouse Ventures Ltd.
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