Aquaculture for all

Ohio to host $200 million GE salmon facility

Salmonids Biotechnology Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) +3 more

AquaBounty has identified Pioneer, Ohio as the site for a $200 million farm for producing its genetically engineered (GE) salmon.

The new farm will be eight times the size of AquaBounty's existing RAS facility in Indiana

© AquaBounty

The new farm will be AquaBounty’s first large-scale commercial facility, with a planned annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes, approximately eight times the size of its existing farm in Albany, Indiana.

The company says it is finalising the design for the estimated 479,000 square foot facility, with construction is slated to begin before the end of the year and commercial stocking of salmon to commence in 2023. Once in operation, the farm is expected to bring over 100 new jobs to the region.

“We are excited to announce Pioneer, Ohio as the location of our next farm,” said Sylvia Wulf, CEO of AquaBounty in a press release. “After an intensive analysis of the site data and the completion of substantial due diligence, Pioneer met our selection requirements. The Village of Pioneer, Williams County, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership have all been a pleasure to work with and are highly supportive of the economic benefits we plan to bring to the community.”

“The state of Ohio currently is finalizing a package of economic incentives to support AquaBounty’s location at the Pioneer site, as the plan for the new farm is contingent upon approval of state and local incentives. Details of the site purchase have been agreed upon and we expect to begin construction by the end of the year,” concluded Wulf.

“AquaBounty’s decision to choose Ohio for its first large-scale aquaculture facility is more evidence that Ohio is emerging from the pandemic stronger than before,” said JP Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “This investment will bring 112 new jobs to Northwest Ohio, further solidifying the region’s role as a national leader in agribusiness production and distribution.”

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