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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Bowery Farming Plans Vertical Farming Complex in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

12/09/2020
New York City-based Bowery Farming, Inc., the largest vertical farming company in the country, will expand operations in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The new facility will be the fourth vertical farm operation in the U.S. and first in the commonwealth.

The company will expand to a newly constructed 150,000 square-foot facility on an 8.7-acre site. The project will create and retain at least 70 new, full-time jobs within the next three years, and the company has pledged to invest more than $30 million.

“Adding our newest, most sophisticated smart indoor farm in Bethlehem to our network is a critical next chapter in our growth,” said Irving Fain, founder and CEO of Bowery Farming. “We’re proud to transform a former industrial site into productive, modern farmland, which will create year-round sustainable farming jobs for the community and expand access to a reliable source of traceable pesticide-free produce across the region.”

Bowery Farming received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $210,000 Pennsylvania First grant and $50,000 in grant funding for workforce training.

In addition, the company has been encouraged to apply for a Neighborhood Assistance Enterprise Zone Tax Credit. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania welcomes Bowery Farming to our commonwealth’s rich and diverse agriculture industry and looks forward to supporting the company’s growth as it reimagines how farming can be more sustainable and impactful to our communities,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Bowery’s expansion will generate new opportunities by establishing this technologically advanced indoor vertical farm and will create new year-round sustainable jobs and a chance to address food insecurity throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.”

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