RICHMOND, VA — Oasthouse Ventures Ltd., a UK-based sustainable business development firm, will invest $104.8 million to establish its first U.S. controlled environment agriculture operation in Carroll County, Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The project will create 118 jobs initially, with a total of 265 positions planned.
The facility will produce and package over 45 million pounds of tomatoes annually for distribution across the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest. It will be heated using more than 31,000 tons of Virginia-grown hardwood residuals from local sawmills, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability.
“Oasthouse Ventures’ decision to locate its U.S. operations in Virginia is a testament to the advantages that make the Commonwealth the best location in the country for Controlled Environment Agriculture,” Youngkin said.
The project will be built in phases, with the first including a 65-acre greenhouse at Wildwood Commerce Park, a packaging facility, and an on-site daycare for employees. Oasthouse Ventures Senior Development Manager Ben Alexander said the initiative is part of a broader effort to “reshore fresh produce production closer to the end consumer.”
The investment aligns with Virginia’s push to expand indoor farming. “Virginia is proudly the destination of choice for Controlled Environment Agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr.
Officials praised the project’s potential economic impact. “Carroll County and its residents prove once again why Southwest Virginia is the best place for companies like Oasthouse Ventures to do business,” said Senator William Stanley.
With additional locations in development, Oasthouse Ventures aims to position Virginia as a leader in sustainable agriculture and food production.