Vertical Farms LLC to grow near Fergus Falls

Press Release

Congressman Collin Peterson announced that USDA Rural Development will provide a $2.1 million loan guarantee to Great River Energy to provide financing to Vertical Farms Produce LLC for the purchase of equipment at their Fergus Falls facility. The project is expected to create 14 new jobs.

"This is great news for Fergus Falls and for the region," Peterson said. "Value-added produce is making great strides in our rural communities along with the desire for local foods, and this will be a nice boost to the local economy."

The project consists of Vertical Farms, LLC operating a year-round indoor growing and packaging facility using Artificial Light Vertical Stacking (ALVS) technology. The initial product will be lettuce, with expansion of the product mix to include herbs, spinach, strawberries and basil.

Dale Didion, COO of Vertical Farms LLC, said that an outstanding group of people from the region who were focused on bringing business development to Fergus Falls should be commended for their efforts. "This is the first project of its kind in North America," Didion said. "Groups like Great River Energy, Lake Region Electric, West Central Initiative, the Fergus Falls EDC, along with Leigh Barry have been great to work with and are good people."

USDA Rural Development has approved a 70 percent Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan for Great River Energy to fund the project. Additional funding partners include West Central Initiative, the Fergus Falls Port Authority, and the City of Fergus Falls.

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