Plenty Unlimited

Challenge

Plenty Unlimited Inc., a California-based company committed to growing vertically farmed crops, contacted the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in June 2021 to assist in site selection for a large-scale, high-tech food manufacturing facility. VEDP contacted the Greater Richmond Partnership for assistance.

GRP’s role

VEDP requested support in finding Plenty property options of at least 25 acres with 15+ megawatts of power as well as access to natural gas and water. GRP provided Plenty with custom market research including a cost comparison between Greater Richmond and its project competitors and collaborated with VEDP on a labor study specific to the company’s needs.

After submitting sites from across the region, GRP engaged the Chesterfield Economic Development team in August 2021 to assist with property tours. Plenty executives toured different sites in the region before honing in on Chesterfield County’s Meadowville Technology Park. GRP and Chesterfield Economic Development provided a virtual site tour in January 2022 and hosted Plenty executives in the region for two more visits in March and April of 2022.

During Plenty’s first in-person visit, GRP presented a regional overview of business assets and advantages and toured company executives around Greater Richmond to experience the quality of life firsthand. GRP also connected Plenty with local employers to share insight on the region’s workforce and with community partners like utility operators, and submitted a Letter of Support to help push the project past the finish line.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, GRP hosted Plenty employees for three separate relocation visits and quality of life tours. During these visits, GRP connects relocating professionals with local real estate agents.

Partners

GRP partnered with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Chesterfield County and Dominion Energy to secure the project for Virginia.

Competition

Five other states were considered for the project. Virginia won thanks to its location and infrastructure as well as its access to market.

Solution

In September 2022, Plenty announced its plans for a new vertical farm at Meadowville Technology Park in Chesterfield County.

At Plenty, we’re on a mission to sustainably grow fresh food for everyone, everywhere. This campus will raise the bar on what indoor vertical farming can deliver. The scale and sophistication of what we’re building here in Virginia will make it possible to economically grow a variety of produce with superior quality and flavor. We look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with the government of Virginia as we endeavor to rewrite the rules of agriculture. Arama KukutaiCEO, Plenty Unlimited

Using vertical towers and a control light, water and nutrient system, the indoor farm will yield 350x more crops per acre, utilizing a fraction of the land and water compared to conventional farms.

Results

Plenty’s Chesterfield County location plans for:

• $300 million in capital investment,
• 120 acres of land,
• 300 full-time jobs, and
• 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2040.

Next steps

Plenty plans to complete its campus in multiple phases over the next six years. The first farm opened in September 2024 where it grows strawberries for the Driscoll’s brand. Designed to grow more than 4 million pounds annually, it will be the first in the world to grow indoor, vertically farmed berries at scale.

GRP offers many services including: (1) confidential project management assistance; (2) site selection assistance; (3) in-depth market data; (4) financial and entrepreneurial resources; (5) local- and state-level connections and; (6) workforce recruitment and training. Let us know how we can help your company.