Update on Muncie leafy greens facility
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Minnesota-based Living Greens Farm says construction of its $80 million indoor, leafy greens facility in Muncie is on track and has achieved two milestones. The company in March announced plans to build a 200,000-square-foot aeroponic farm in Delaware County.
The company says it has done some preliminary interior structure work in the existing shell building in the Industria Center industrial park. Living Greens Farm says it has also completed key state and local permitting.
“The timetable we’re on is to have the first phase of construction completed by the second quarter of 2024,” said Living Greens Farm CEO George Pastrana.
The company will install vertical, aeroponic equipment to grow approximately seven million pounds of leafy greens annually. Before installation of the growing system, crews will finish out the gravel floor of the building, dig water supply lines and drains and then pour concrete.
The company says it system uses “significantly” less water than traditional farming methods and will save more than 100 million gallons of water each year.
In addition to the farm, the facility will include processing and packaging space.
According to the Delaware County Commissions, Living Greens recently sought tax abatement considerations on $31 million worth of equipment. The company is also seeking performance-based incentives.
“We’re very pleased with the latest progress with Living Greens,” said Sherry Riggin, president of the Delaware County commissioners. “We’re eagerly looking forward to seeing new developments in the coming months.”
The company says it will be hiring about 150 employees to run the operations. Pastrana says training will take about two months.
“We are excited about the partnership with the city and county and looking forward to being good partners with both,” Pastrana said.
The company’s retail partners, where the Living Greens products can be found, have included Walmart, Whole Foods, Midwestern supermarket chain HyVee.