US: Greenhouse plans Endless Harvest scaled down

The greenhouse lettuce-growing business known as Endless Harvest has downsized its planned $12 million, 2.7-acre operation into a $2 million half-acre one — but it will still be near Jamestown. “Some people have heard rumors that they were being enticed to move to the East,” said Gary Riffe, president of the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp., during its Monday meeting. “And that would be a kick in the butt.”

While the original plans have shrunk, the project still has the same investors, and will be at the same location. And Endless Harvest still plans to return to the JSDC with a request for assistance, said Connie Ova, CEO of the JSDC.

A smaller project will give the company the chance to prove that its concept will work, said Duane Spooner, business manager and loan programs manager of the South Central Dakota Regional Council, which planned to offer Endless Harvest a loan.

The idea of offering classes onsite has been scrapped, as the location is close enough to Jamestown to use classrooms in town and simply travel to the greenhouse when necessary, Spooner said.

Source: Jamestownsun.com