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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

British-Based Oasthouse Ventures Plans Carroll County, Virginia, Greenhouse Operations

03/03/2025
British-Based Oasthouse Ventures Ltd., a sustainable business development firm specializing in low-carbon greenhouses, plans to establish controlled environment agriculture operations in Carroll County, Virginia. The $104.8 million project is expected to create 118 jobs.

The investment will include the construction of a new greenhouse, located on 65 acres at the Wildwood Commerce Park, which will produce and package over 45 million pounds of tomatoes for distribution to major retailers throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest U.S.

“Our Carroll County facility represents a major step toward building a network of large-scale, sustainable indoor farming operations that will supply American-grown fresh produce across the eastern United States,” said Oasthouse Ventures Senior Development Manager Ben Alexander. “Our first greenhouse spanning 65 acres - nearly seven times the footprint of Lane Stadium - is only the beginning of our ambition to reshore fresh produce production closer to the end consumer, whilst creating jobs and prosperity for the region. Our vision is for the very best produce to be grown in the United States using the latest technology.”

To support the project the Governor Youngkin approved a $550,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, as well as a $250,000 grant from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to assist Carroll County.

“Indoor farming is responsibly changing the way that we make local, sustainable produce for our communities,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Not only will Oasthouse Ventures create more than 100 jobs for Virginians, but it will also use local hardwood residuals as a heating source for its greenhouses. We are proud to welcome Oasthouse Ventures to the Commonwealth and thank them for their efforts in advancing the controlled environment agriculture industry in Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority and Carroll County to secure the project.

“This project rewards years of regional cooperation, bringing more than 100 jobs to the area and improving the quality of life for residents of the region,” added Ashlyn Shrewsbury, the interim executive director for Mount Rogers Regional Partnership and the executive director for the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority. “Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, the regional economic development organization, has worked closely with Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority, the regional industrial authority representing Carroll County, Grayson County, and the City of Galax, in bringing Oasthouse Ventures to its new home as the first tenant of Wildwood Commerce Park. We are thrilled to see these joint efforts come to fruition for the enrichment of the community and we are excited for the positive ripple effect this project will have on the local economy.”

Oasthouse Ventures delivers low-carbon greenhouse projects and advises on developed and funded energy infrastructure projects.

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