KANSAS CITY, MO, March 19, 2013
– It was announced today that a 100,000
square foot greenhouse farm will be built in Kansas City, Missouri. The
state-of-the-art, hydroponic greenhouse will be built by BrightFarms,
Inc. in partnership with the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri.
The farm will grow up to 1 million pounds of
local produce per year, including tomatoes, lettuces, and herbs,
further propelling Kansas City as a leader in urban agriculture.
The
farm will be built at the Berkley Riverfront Development, located along
the Missouri River, close to downtown Kansas City. After years of
preparation,
the nearly five-acre site is ready for construction. The farm is part
of the larger Port Authority plan for the riverfront, which is one of
the largest urban riverfront development sites in the country.
The
farm will energize the riverfront while dramatically scaling up urban
agriculture in Kansas City. It will grow enough crops to meet the fresh
vegetable consumption needs of up to 5,000 Kansas City residents,
create 25 full-time, green-collar jobs, facilitate over 100 construction
jobs, and prevent storm water from going into local waterways. By
growing locally, BrightFarms delivers produce that
is thousands of miles fresher, more flavorful, and better for the
community.
“BrightFarms
is not only growing local produce, they are growing our local economy,”
says Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James. “We are thrilled to welcome
BrightFarms to our community, which is rapidly becoming a model of
sustainability.”
Councilman,
1st District At Large Scott Wagner, says, “The history of Kansas City
is intertwined with the history of U.S. Agriculture. BrightFarms’
entrance into Kansas City puts our city back on the forefront of 21st
Century agriculture and we are very excited to be a part of that.”
Missouri’s
Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, says, “This farm
advances the sustainable redevelopment of our riverfront, our city,
and our community, creating green-collar jobs and bolstering the local
economy.”
“In
addition to improving our local food security and creating jobs that
cannot be outsourced, this project will enhance Kansas City’s nationwide
reputation as a hub of innovation and one of the most modernizing
economies in America,” says Senator Holsman.
President
& CEO of the Kansas City Port Authority Michael Collins says,
“Today marks a very significant day for the Port Authority and
BrightFarms.
BrightFarms will be producing whole and fresh foods crops in an
environmentally and logistically sustainable way. This project will
serve as the first of many expected announcements.”
“The
Kansas City Port Authority and elected officials have been tremendous
champions of BrightFarms and have a visionary plan for the future of
this City” says BrightFarms CEO Paul Lightfoot. “We can’t wait to grow
millions of pounds of fresh local produce a year and partner with the
most innovative local supermarket.”
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms
grows local produce, nationwide. By financing, building, and managing
greenhouse farms at or near grocery retailers, BrightFarms eliminates
time, distance, and costs from the produce supply chain. BrightFarms
local produce is fresher, more flavorful, and better for the
environment, enabling grocers to change their produce supply chain in a
way that improves the planet and their profits.
About Kansas City Port Authority
The
Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo., serves as a public redevelopment
organization for the purpose of generating new capital investment for
both
private venture and public infrastructure in order to produce new job
opportunities, an increased tax base and for the overall economic
vitality of Kansas City.
About the Berkley Riverfront Development
The
Berkley Riverfront Development is an ideal location that is along the
Missouri River, and close to downtown Kansas City and the City Market.
The development site is almost five acres and provides great access to
Interstate 29/35. After years of preparation the time has arrived for
vertical construction along the Riverfront. Port Authority Staff is
working hard exploring other development opportunities.
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