Hydroponic Produce Provider to Invest $1.1B in Lubbock, Amarillo Facilities

Hydroponic growing can be big business. Plant Agricultural Systems (PLANT-AS) is moving forward with significant investments in Amarillo and Lubbock.

PLANT-AS will develop a total of more than 1,100 acres of advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) production in West Texas as a part of its phase one domestic operations roll out. The facilities will provide produce for the entire southwestern U.S.

PLANT-AS’ Amarillo project includes the development of 9 million square feet of advanced CEA production facilities on 400 acres at the Centerpoint East site. Fresh produce, including leafy greens and vine crops such as tomatoes, will be produced using state-of-the-art hydroponic technology. The company will invest a projected $510 million in the project, which will scale up operations over seven years to employ more than 700 full-time employees with an expected payroll of $35 million.

In Lubbock, PLANT-AS’ operations will include 700 acres, where it will develop 13.3 million square feet of advanced CEA production facilities. The company will invest a projected $670 million here, and will scale up operations over 10 years to employ over 900 full-time employees with an expected payroll of $45 million.

The company says it uses 70 to 90 percent less water than traditional agriculture methods.