Red Sun Farms, a producer of high-quality
hydroponic, organic vegetables, will erect climate-controlled
greenhouses on 45 acres of land to grow greenhouse-grown vegetables,
creating the new jobs within five years, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell
announced at a news conference at New River Community College.
“This game-changing project has been in the works
for a long time, and it is gratifying to see it come to fruition today.
Red Sun Farms uses extremely high-tech equipment to provide a continuous
supply of the best organic greenhouse-produced
vegetables, and after much research determined that Pulaski County is
the ideal spot for its first U.S. production center,” the governor said.
“Virginia offers optimal climatic conditions for greenhouse operations,
a central location providing convenient access
to East Coast markets, and a top-notch workforce ready for this new
opportunity. As the first tenant of the New River Valley Commerce Park,
Red Sun Farms’ significant investment and creation of new jobs is a
tremendous win for the Commonwealth and Pulaski
County, and represents strategic growth for the New River Valley
region.”
Virginia successfully competed against Tennessee for the project.
“We welcome Red Sun Farms’ first U.S. greenhouse
tomato production operation to Pulaski County and the Commonwealth of
Virginia,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
“The company will not only provide new jobs to the
community, it will help diversify the local economy and add value to
Virginia-grown products. I am confident Red Sun Farms will find success
in the Commonwealth and continue as a leader in the greenhouse vegetable
industry of North America.”
Headquartered in Michoacán, Mexico, Red Sun Farms
was founded in 2001 as part of a family owned agro-industrial group,
Agrícola El Rosal S.A. de C.V., a company dedicated to production of
vegetables under greenhouse hydroponic systems using
high technology. Red Sun Farms is a key component of the agriculture
division, and is an integral part of the group’s business growth and
development throughout North America.
The Red Sun brand is owned and marketed by JemD
Farms, the only Mexican- and Canadian-owned greenhouse company in North
America. Its sister brand, Golden Sun, produces tomatoes in Canada.
Currently, JemD Farms owns and operates 150 acres
of high-tech greenhouses in Canada and 250 acres in Mexico, making this
expansion a true North American operation.
Among its high-tech features: computer-monitored humidity, oxygen and carbon dioxide monitors.
“We are excited to soon begin construction on our
new greenhouse facility in Dublin,” said Carlos Visconti, chief
operating officer of JemD Farms. “Being able to provide quality, safe
and now locally grown greenhouse produce to our retail
partners and consumers is a great accomplishment for our team. We
would especially like to thank Governor McDonnell and his agencies and
departments, Pulaski County, the New River Valley Economic Development
Alliance and many others who worked tirelessly
to make this project a reality.”
“This announcement establishes a unique, high-tech
industry in Pulaski County that supplements our existing agricultural
businesses,” said Joe Sheffey, chairman of the Pulaski County Board of
Supervisors. “Furthermore, it is the first in
what we plan to be several other industries to locate in our regional
Commerce Park. We see Red Sun Farms as yet another step in our efforts
to diversify our local economy.”
The New River Valley Commerce Park is a 1,000-acre,
publicly owned industrial site located next to New River Valley Airport
and Foreign Trade Zone #238, just 3 miles from Interstate 81.
No comments:
Post a Comment