Vermillion Growers Ltd. has opened an innovative glass greenhouse producing hydroponic greenhouse vegetables in the Dauphin area, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
“We are pleased to welcome Vermillion Growers to Manitoba, which will contribute to our provincial economy in terms of jobs and gross domestic product, and also reduce the need for imported vegetables in Canada,” said Johnson. “Our government is committed to creating an environment for a competitive, sustainable and adaptable agriculture and agri-food industry as a key economic driver in the province.”
Vermillion Growers Ltd. is a Canadian-controlled private corporation that uses an innovative, fully-automated control system for growing vegetables under glass greenhouses, the minister noted.
The first phase of the Dauphin-area project has been completed–a 10-acre glass greenhouse that will grow vine tomatoes for distribution to central Canada with a total project budget of $32 million. The company also plans to add an additional 60 acres by 2025 to grow sweet peppers and cucumbers, for an expected output of more than 31 million kilograms of produce per year once both phases are fully operational, the minister added.
The Manitoba government has supported the project through a number of tax incentives, including support through the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit Program and funding through the Manitoba Works Capital Incentive Program for up to $4.2 million as the project moves into its next phase.
“Vermillion Growers is a homegrown, Dauphin business. The Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit Program provided community members with the opportunity to invest into a local company and receive a Manitoba tax credit equivalent to 45 per cent of their investment. This Manitoba government program was essential to getting this business up and running,” said Maria Deschauer, managing director, Vermillion Growers. “As a corporation, Vermillion Growers’ tag line is ‘Growing Food, Growing People, Growing Community' – this aligns with the province’s focus on economic growth. Vermillion Growers looks forward to future collaboration with the Manitoba government as we strengthen and grow our rural communities.”
Once both phases have been completed, Vermillion Growers is expected to become one of the largest employers in the Parkland region, the minister noted. Phase 1 will employ approximately 34 full-time staff. Upon the completion of Phase 2, Vermillion Growers anticipates employing approximately 210 full-time employees.
This project aligns with the Opportunities for Economic Growth Action Plan, a comprehensive set of tangible, focused and strategic actions that the Manitoba government is advancing in partnership with stakeholders and the private sector to create a stronger economic future for Manitobans, Johnson said.
To view the Opportunities for Economic Growth Action Plan, visit Manitoba.ca/economicgrowth.
For more information on economic investment and activities in Manitoba, visit Manitoba.ca/InvestMB.
News source: Manitoba government