A new greenhouse facility is set to bring as many as 150 jobs to Henderson County, with an investment that could total $69 million. Lakeside Produce plans to establish the largest greenhouse operation in North Carolina on land just outside Mills River.
In an announcement at Van Wingerden International Thursday afternoon, the Ontario-based company said that in an exhaustive search spanning from Virginia to Florida, it was Mills River that stood out.
Starting off at about 15 acres, the operation could grow to as many as 45 in the coming years, making it the largest greenhouse growing operation in the state, according to Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County.
Chris Cervini, owner and CEO of Lakeside Produce, said it was not only the specific climate providing warm summer days and cool nights perfect for growing flavorful tomatoes that brought the company to the area. He also credited the work of Williams, AgHC and the wider community.
Latest from Produce Grower
- WUR extends Gerben Messelink’s professorship in biological pest control in partnership with Biobest and Interpolis
- Closing the loop
- The Growth Industry Episode 8: From NFL guard to expert gardener with Chuck Hutchison
- Raise a glass (bottle)
- From farm kid to Ph.D.
- Do consumers trust produce growers?
- The modern grocery shopper
- Beyond a burst of optimism
