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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Netherlands-Based Bosch Berries Plans Somerset, Kentucky, Operations

02/13/2024
Bosch Berries, an international grower and distributor of bell peppers, blackberries and strawberries, plans to establish greenhouse operations in Somerset, Kentucky. The $50 million project is expected to create 28 jobs.

The company acquired the AppHarvest facility, located on over 30 acres, which will allow it to maximize production capacity, implement new technologies to optimize growing efficiencies, reduce waste and gain access to the U.S. market.

“We are thrilled with the acquisition of the Somerset facility and to become a part of the Somerset community,” said Tijmen and Wouter van den Bosch, co-directors of Bosch Berries. “With some technical changes we have planned for this summer and introducing the best practices we have built through 90 years of greenhouse experience; we will make it one of the most successful greenhouses of its kind. We want to thank all employees and partners who share our belief in better berries, which are tasty, fresh, clean, sustainable and always available. Somerset deserves better berries; Kentucky deserves better berries, and the United States deserves better berries. Be on the lookout in your local grocery store for hydroponically grown strawberries.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved an incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

“The growth within Kentucky’s agritech industry has played a key role in the state’s continued economic momentum and prosperity,” Governor Beshear Andy noted. “Bosch Berries’ plan to locate its first location in the United States right here in the commonwealth speaks volumes about what our state has to offer. This is an incredible investment for southcentral Kentucky and the Pulaski County community, and I look forward to a long, successful partnership.”

In addition, Bosch Berries can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

“We, as a community, are very excited about the Bosch Berries acquisition of the Somerset facility,” added Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski County Economic Development Authority. “They bring to bear many decades of farming experience, and we are grateful for their investment in the Capital of Lake Cumberland. It has been a privilege to work with Tijmen and Wouter van den Bosch, and the future is very bright for everyone involved.”

Bosch Berries is a sixth generation family farm that specializes in growing and distributing bell peppers, blackberries and strawberries.

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