Kingsville, Canada - August 8, 2017 - Mucci Farms (the “Company”) today announced a large-scale, multi-year investment in Huron, Ohio. The Company confirmed that it was starting a multi-year, three-phase construction project which will cover a total of 60 acres and feature the newest and latest state of the art greenhouses equipped with grow lights which extend the growing season. The constructed facility will also include a 272,000 sq. ft. distribution warehouse to support the Company’s growing US customer base.
The Company has already broken ground on the first phase which is the construction of a 24-acre range and the Company expects to produce from this facility will be available as soon as March 2018.
This new, state of the art facility, will include the latest grow light technology which simulates sunlight by providing or supplementing the necessary light to optimize plant growth. The use of this growing technology allows for year-round production, keeping our produce -”always in season”.
Mucci Farms already has a sustainable, successful business with a well-recognized brand in a number of large US retailers.
Expanding our operations to include a US growing facility was strategically done to meet our US customer demands for locally grown, year-round, fresh and flavourful produce.
Making this investment in Ohio allows us to reduce the food miles for our US retailers and gives our US consumers the confidence that they can bring fresh and flavourful Mucci Farms’ produce into their homes all year round.
The Company has been actively exploring a number of US expansion opportunities for the past 18 months and the site located in Huron, Ohio was a perfect fit due to its easy access to a number of current and potentially new retailer distribution facilities as well as its proximity to our Corporate headquarters in Kingsville, ON
The Company has enjoyed establishing a number of working partnerships during the development stages of this expansion with the City of Huron and Erie County officials and the Company looks forward to what it expects will be a number of promising opportunities for continued community partnerships ahead.
As Mucci Farms continues to grow so will its work in the communities the Company is a part of. Mucci Farms understands the value of supporting all local communities in which it operates and it places equal emphasis on social interests as business interests. The Company is confident that there are a number of inspiring things to come with this investment in Ohio and Mucci Farms looks forward to growing with the City of Huron, Huron Township and Erie County.
“The City is excited to collaborate with Mucci Farms in bringing a new, advanced technology to the region. The impact on this area is expected to be profound and transformational. Welcome.”
Andy White, City of Huron, Manager
“We are extremely pleased to be a part of this next step for Mucci Farms. The Company’s advanced practices and reputation are well suited for our region and the business community.”
Abbey Bemis, Executive Director, Erie County Economic Development Corporation
Potential EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES “WITHIN OUR OPERATIONS” AND “BEYOND”
The Company anticipates that when the first phase of construction is completed it will be looking to employ up to 100 full-time positions. The Company expects this number will increase to 250 full-time positions by the completion of the third phase of construction.
These positions will capture many different levels of professional and general labourer positions. Some key positions the Company is looking to hire right away include growers, assistant growers and greenhouse labour supervisors.