$10.7 million fish farm planned in Columbia County

$10.7 million fish farm planned in Columbia County Published: Friday, February 13, 2009 http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/02/13/news/doc4995010ea95be621488729.txt http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/17127-neighborhoods-with-the-worst-air-quality By ARIEL ZANGLA Freeman staff THE NATION’S first recirculating saltwater commercial “aquaculture” operation to produce saltwater fish is... [more]

$10.7 million fish farm planned in Columbia County Published: Friday, February 13, 2009 http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/02/13/news/doc4995010ea95be621488729.txt http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/17127-neighborhoods-with-the-worst-air-quality By ARIEL ZANGLA Freeman staff THE NATION’S first recirculating saltwater commercial “aquaculture” operation to produce saltwater fish is coming to Columbia County. Called Local Ocean, the $10.7 million cutting-edge fish farm project was announced during a news conference Thursday in Hudson. It is the result of a partnership between Israeli company GFA (Grow Fish Anywhere) and Sanit Corp. The project, according to a press release, will renovate 40,000 square feet of the former Acme Building on U.S. Route 9 in Greenport. The building once leased by Kaz Inc., which is shutting down its local operation. The Local Ocean project is expected to create 53 full-time jobs over the next three years and seven contract positions, according to the release. “At a time when the area is losing manufacturing jobs, we are gratified we can bring not only green-collar jobs but also cutting-edge agricultural technology,” said Todd Erling, executive director of Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp. and deputy executive director of the Columbia Economic Development Corp. Local Ocean, according to the release, will put in new machinery and equipment and train employees in how to run a sustainable aquaculture fish farm. It will grow a variety of fish species, in accordance with market demands, and supply seafood markets and retailers throughout the Northeast, the release said. The GFA system is designed to use less energy than typical existing fish farms, with two electric pumps, fully recycled water to minimize heating requirements and a passive solar design to assist with lighting and heating, the release said. It also said the patented aquaculture system requires minimal water and energy and grows fish that are free of mercury and lead because they are raised in a controlled environment. For its part, Sanit Group will provide management, marketing and distribution expertise for the project, the release said. “As a part of a growing industry, our project aims at replacing fish imports, generating aquaculture know-how and creating employment in the U.S.,” said Local Ocean Chief Executive Officer Efraim Bason. “The open-minded approach and the local community support to our project made our location choice clear.” The project will utilize a $175,000 grant from the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal. [less]