Local Bounti Opens New Controlled Environment Agriculture Facility

HAMILTON, Mont. — Local Bounti Corporation, a U.S. indoor agriculture company, announced that it will mark the opening of its new controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility in Pasco, Wash., with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 7. Members of the company's management team will be joined by industry leaders, local officials and members of the community at this invitation-only event.

Craig Hurlbert, Local Bounti's chief executive officer, said, "We are proud to officially be able to call Pasco home with the opening of this latest facility, which enhances our rapidly growing distribution footprint across the U.S. Our state-of-the-art CEA facility, which is underpinned by our innovative and patented Stack & Flow Technology, enables us to support existing customer demand in Washington, Oregon and adjacent markets in the Pacific Northwest. We are excited about the opportunities this facility creates, not only for our company but also for the local economy and the environment. Our pledge to sustainability and community engagement remains unwavering, and we look forward to contributing positively to Pasco and the broader Pacific Northwest region."

The facility is expected to generate more than 40 jobs throughout the Tri-Cities region and will focus on growing and selling Local Bounti's greenhouse fresh line of packaged leafy greens. Varieties include spring mix, butter lettuce, romaine crisp, green leaf and additional blends.

"Pasco extends a warm welcome to Local Bounti in our community and the Tri-Cities region,” said Jacob Gonzalez, director, community and economic development for the city of Pasco. “Their dedication to integrating into the community, creating jobs and prioritizing sustainable practices represents a substantial investment in Pasco's future. We are eager to collaborate with Local Bounti as they contribute to our city's growth and diversity of economic opportunities."

The Washington facility spans across three acres and was seeded in January 2024. In April, the facility completed the food safety certification, which came in with a score of 100%, and will be shipping to its first national retail customer's northwest division this month. The addition of the new facility fortifies Local Bounti's distribution to directly service local retail distribution centers within the Pacific Northwest region and provide additional capacity to meet existing demand from the company's direct relationships with blue-chip retail customers.

Local Bounti's patented Stack & Flow Technology blends the advantages of vertical and greenhouse cultivation, setting the stage for a new era in sustainable agriculture, the company said. With a focus on maximizing efficiency, the Washington facility boasts significantly higher yields while utilizing less water, land and pesticides compared to traditional farming methods. This commitment to sustainability aligns with Local Bounti's mission to revolutionize the agricultural landscape and reduce its environmental impact.