CARROLL COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Oasthouse Ventures Ltd., a 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, according to Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Over the next three years, Youngkin says, the company will produce and package more than 45 million pounds of tomatoes for distribution to major retailers throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest United States. With a focus on sustainability, the company plans to source more than 31,000 tons annually of Virginia-grown hardwood residuals from local sawmills to heat its greenhouses. The project will initially create 118 jobs with a total of 265 full- and part-time positions for the project.

“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 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.”

With an emphasis on sustainable food sourcing, coupled with the expense of distribution from existing large produce sources in California and Mexico, Oasthouse Ventures’ new indoor farm will offer fresh produce that will “travel fewer miles to market, which in turn will extend shelf life and reduces costs for consumers,” according to the Governor’s Office.

“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.”

“We are thrilled to welcome OastHouse Ventures to Carroll County,” said Carroll County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joey Dickson. “Their investment in our community will create over100 new jobs, providing significant economic growth and new opportunities for our residents. This marks an exciting step forward for our local workforce and economy, reinforcing Carroll County as a great place to live, work, and do business.”

For more information, visit www.growingcareersva.com.

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