The former Elk Falls pulp mill site will soon become an indoor agricultural operation producing vegetables locally, thanks to an agreement between the site and Vancouver-based CubicFarm Systems Corp.
On June 28 CubicFarm entered into an agreement with NTE Discovery Park Ltd. for the purchase and operation of 26 CubicFarm System modules for $4.4 million as well as the manufacturing of those 26 modules and the future manufacturing of major components for contracts within North America.
NTE Discovery Park will build the cold-formed steel framing for the CubicFarm System modules at Discovery Park, the former Elk Falls pulp mill site north of Campbell River. The CubicFarm System controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology grows commercial scale amounts of fresh produce in modular, food-grade steel systems. The companyB次元官网网址檚 proprietary Crop Motion Technology moves plants throughout the system using less water, land, energy and labour, according to a Cubic Farms press release.
NTE Discovery Park will repurpose existing facilities and evaluate sustainable initiatives to B次元官网网址渋gnite a circular economy, localize food production and reinvigorate local labour with jobs in the community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e excited about operating the CubicFarm System and diversifying our operations by manufacturing major hardware components, installing CubicFarmB次元官网网址檚 impressive indoor farming technologies, and localizing fresh produce for communities in B.C.,B次元官网网址� said John Tang, Chief executive Officer, NTE Discovery Park. B次元官网网址淏uilding and operating vertical farms in Western Canada has a dual purpose of providing communities with better access to delicious fresh food year-round without importing 90 per cent of it over long distances.B次元官网网址�
Tang said the system reduces the carbon footprint of food delivered to consumers and manufacturing the modules will provide new jobs. He also pointed out the local source of power from BC HydroB次元官网网址檚 John Hart powerhouse located four kilometres from the site.
The new agreement with NTE Discovery Park will mitigate supply chain constraints and allow increased efficiencies and new B次元官网网址淔armer PartnerB次元官网网址� installations for larger commercial scale commitments, CubicFarm says.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e honoured to partner with NTE Discovery Park and parent company New Times Energy Limited in manufacturing CubicFarm Systems,B次元官网网址� said Dave Dinesen, Chief executive Officer, CubicFarms. B次元官网网址淭he visionary leaders of this successful, international company are aligned on the importance of all the ways we can localize food production and improve food security in Canada. This manufacturing agreement for hardware made in Canada is in addition to the companyB次元官网网址檚 existing manufacturing facilities in China, allowing CubicFarm to meeting increasing demand for our technology and leading CEA platform.B次元官网网址�
Andrea Magee, CubicFarm director of communications, said the agreement to buy, build and operate the modules is the first step but it will be B次元官网网址渁 little ways off before we get those up and running actually providing fresh, nutritious food for the local population but thatB次元官网网址檚 the intent.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think people are really going to appreciate having something fresh and local thatB次元官网网址檚 grown in their community,B次元官网网址� Magee said.
CubicFarm currently has several operations in B.C. and Alberta with one coming in Indiana, USA and another in progress in Australia.
editor@campbellrivermirror.com
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