BY MELINA DRUGA  |   APRIL 25, 2019

New York-based BrightFarms recently announced plans to open a 250,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse in Snyder County.

The greenhouse will serve the company’s four primary facilities and will grow leafy greens and herbs. BrightFarms will invest more than $20 million, and the project is expected to create 54 jobs over the next three years.

“BrightFarms is extremely grateful for the support we have received while searching for our next location in Pennsylvania,” Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms CEO, said. “This is an exciting chapter for our company as we push forward with our mission of providing more Americans access to the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown local produce through their supermarkets. Our next step will be recruiting members of the community to fill over 50 ‘green-collar’ jobs at the greenhouse. These employees will receive competitive pay, industry-leading benefits and world-class training from our team members.”

The Department of Community and Economic Development submitted a $24,300 grant proposal to BrightFarms for workforce training.

The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority has encouraged BrightFarms to apply for a $2.95 million low-interest loan to assist with the purchase of land, machinery, and equipment.

BrightFarms grows using sustainable farming methods in four states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Illinois.