AquaBounty Technologies has announced site work has commenced on the company’s new 10,000-metric-ton (MT) salmon recirculating aquaculture system in the U.S. state of Ohio.
The Maynard, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based company announced the farm's location in Pioneer, Ohio, U.S.A. in July 2021. It plans to build a 479,000-square-foot facility at an estimated cost of USD 290 to 320 million, (EUR 258 to 284 million), including a reserve for potential contingencies of USD 30 million (EUR 26 million).
Now, the company has begun preparing the site for construction, AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf said in a release.
“We are pleased to have begun work on the property in Pioneer, Ohio – achieving critical pre-construction milestones to enable building to commence after the spring thaw,” Wulf said. “The construction of roadways and on-site energy infrastructure, as well as the setting of surveyor’s benchmarks ahead of grading work, are underway as we speak. These are absolutely critical first steps in the construction process.”
AquaBounty currently has a 1,200-MT production facility in Albany, Indiana, where it completed its first harvest of genetically engineered salmon in June 2021. The company had originally announced Mayfield, Kentucky, as its favored location for the new facility, but the company told SeafoodSource that the Ohio location proved to be more advantageous after due diligence.
According to Wulf, AquaBounty has worked to mitigate the impact of supply chain issues and has helped limit price increases by ordering key RAS technology items and the pre-engineered metal building for the farm.
“We are planning an official groundbreaking ceremony and will communicate the details in the coming weeks,” Wulf said. “This marks an incredibly exciting milestone for AquaBounty and a time to celebrate with and thank the village of Pioneer, Williams County, and the state of Ohio for their ongoing support.”
Photo courtesy of AquaBounty Technologies
