Developer Plans $33 Million Indoor Farm, Microgrid Project In Former Paper Mill
DECEMBER 20, 2018
Arcadia Energy Corp. wants to transform the former Florelle Tissue Corp. plant, pictured here in 2010, into an up to $33 million indoor farm and energy complex.
WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES
BROWNVILLE — A Rochester microgrid developer plans to build an up to $33 million indoor hydroponic farm and energy complex in a former paper mill on the Black River.
Acadia Energy Corp. wants to repurpose the 100,000-square-foot mill that once housed Florelle Tissue Corp., which closed in 2013, for a vertical farm and a microgrid.
John Bay, CEO of Acadia Energy, said for the farm, which would occupy only 10,000 square feet, he envisions growing produce like lettuce, tomato and arugula in bins of seven to 15 feet with rotating trays. The microgrid would produce electricity and thermal energy using natural gas, although Mr. Bay said he wants to transition to using hydroelectric and solar to generate power down the road.
“We’re very excited about this opportunity. This marketplace is an up-and-coming marketplace,” Mr. Bay said. “We’re excited to work with and serve people in the greater Watertown area.”
The state awarded Acadia Energy $415,000 through the Regional Economic Development Council program Tuesday, which will help fund the vertical farm.
The firm has already secured preliminary commitments from banks to finance the overall project, which would include about $3.5 million for the farm and $20 million to $30 million for the energy complex. Mr. Bay said, however, the firm must take several more steps before opening the complex, including purchasing the building, updating it and finishing the engineering designs.
“It’s been probably three years in the process and we’re probably another 12 to 18 months before we bear fruit,” Mr. Bay said. “We’re not certain at this point if we’re going to own the hydroponics (farm) or put somebody in as a tenant.”
Building the farm and energy complex inside the former Florelle Tissue mill is not Arcadia Energy’s first north country project. The firm, which has an office in the Watertown Center for Business and Industry, has also been designing the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency’s microgrid to supply electricity to tenants in the Jefferson County Corporate Park.
“One reason we’re down there is the welcome we got from the county and town” of Watertown and Hounsfield, Mr. Bay said about his project in the mill.