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County lands fish farming biz
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| State Sen. Steve Saland praises the efforts of those involved in building a fish farm in Greenport. (Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
Company coming to Greenport to grow salt water fish
By John Mason
GREENPORT — All those whales on Hudson’s street signs will soon have company — ocean fish are on their way to live and grow in Columbia County.
The Israeli company GFA, or Grow Fish Anywhere, and the Brooklyn-based Sanit Corp. announced Thursday they will build and operate a $10.7 million fish farm in the former Acme Building on Route 9.
Called Local Ocean, the new company is the first recirculating salt-water commercial aquaculture operation in the U.S. Todd Erling, deputy executive director of the Columbia Economic Development Corp., called it a “state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, patented filtration system.”
The operation will create 53 full-time jobs over the next three years and seven contract positions.
The company is getting some assistance from New York, in the form of a $175,000 grant from the Empire State Development Corp. and a $175,000 matching grant through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
At the start the farm will take Mediterranean sea bass at two months old and grow them to nine months for sale to restaurants and other outlets. There are plans down the road to add a fish hatchery and research and development toward bringing in other species, said Local Ocean Vice President James Marlow.
“This is a very important moment,” Marlow told a press conference attended by numerous county officials as well as persons associated with GFA and Sanit. The two operative words, he said, are “creation” and “growth.”
“We create a new system and grow fish,” he said. “We also create employment, opportunities and knowledge through research and development. We want a better planet for our children. We want to salvage as many species as possible, and generate high-quality protein.”
He said the plant would have zero emissions, nor would it discharge into the septic or sewer systems.
The patented filtration system “turns the aquaculture paradigm upside-down,” Marlow told the Register-Star.
“Other systems remove the byproducts of fish,” he said. “We keep a balance between the micro-organisms and the fish. The byproducts of the fish are food for the micro-organisms; the micro-organisms clean the water. Once fish are too big, we remove them.”
Local Ocean will have its headquarters here; Marlow will scout for new locations around the country.
He said the plan is to keep distribution within a five-hour radius.
“We want to keep it fresh,” he said. “We will be in position to service the restaurant business mainly.”
State Sen. Steve Saland, R,C,I-Poughkeepsie, called this a great day.
“The sun is shining on Columbia County,” he said. “We’ve seen some adversity. This is an opportunity to create jobs; it can only grow. There’s the potential for another 100 jobs.”
Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, R,C,I-Red Hook, said he was gratified the private and public sectors were working together, jobs would be created and green industry was coming to make Columbia County competitive.
Erling said Marlow came to the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Council, which Erling heads up, in June 2008.
“We notified our partner counties,” he told the Register-Star. Columbia County leaders liked the idea and authorized Erling to go after it, “give our best spiel.” Local Ocean did a statewide search, but settled on the Greenport site.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer, R-Hillsdale, called the project a “great opportunity for creating jobs and ... consistent with our strategic plan. We’re talking about a new venture, new technology, a tremendous opportunity for growth.”
Erling said Local Ocean people have been talking to local contractors and suppliers, “acting like new neighbors, embracing the community.”
The skill level of jobs will range from feeders, the company’s “first line of defense,” who watch for problems the fish might have, through laboratory technicians, to higher management, Marlow said.
Columbia County was selected because of its proximity to major markets, particularly New York City.
“We have high expectations,” Marlow said. “With 55 million consumers [within reach], [even] 20,000 tons of fish will not be enough.” Plans are to start at 50 tons a year.
Erling also linked Marlow up with Columbia-Greene Community College to discuss training for employees.
Campion told the Register-Star this could take either a credit or non-credit form.
The college’s proposal for an associate’s degree in laboratory technology is pending at the State University. Meanwhile, the college has funds for training for local companies that were secured by Saland. These non-credit classes don’t require approvals, so could be started anytime.
Supervisor John Rutkey, R-Greenport, called it “great for the town of Greenport. It’s nice to see something coming in for a change.”
Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera said he’s a fish lover.
“A lot more people are being cognizant of what they’re eating,” he said. “There’s nothing better than to know your fish aren’t full of mercury.”
Local Ocean Chief Financial Officer Roy Ben Itzhak said investors from all over the world are waiting to bid on the company. “Everyone’s waiting to see what happens in the Hudson Valley,” he said.
Among the benefits of the new technology, according to information from the CEDC, are:
n Minimum water loss of 1 percent due to evaporation.
n Ten times the output of existing aquaculture systems.
n No environmental pollution, since waste water is not discharged.
n Low energy use.
n A reduced risk of mercury and lead poisoning.
n Easier monitoring of what goes in and out of tanks, making it more possible to raise organic fish.
While most fish farms produce fish like tilapia, catfish, bass and salmon, a saltwater filtration system could allow the introduction of sea bass, grouper, snapper and even tuna, Marlow said. “Ninety percent of the fish we eat are from the ocean,” he said.
Chamber of Commerce President David Colby said, “We’re extremely impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail.” He said he expects the farm to have a good multiplier effect. “It’s the ideal project in a way.”
The 160,000-square-foot Acme building is owned by Michael Spielman. It’s currently used by Kaz and Columbia Memorial Hospital for storage and by Atlas Metalworking for manufacturing.
Local Ocean will use 40,000 square feet in the building, then possibly more as the business expands.
Marlow estimated $5 million sales in the first year. He said the construction costs would be in the neighborhood of $4 million.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
By John Mason
GREENPORT — All those whales on Hudson’s street signs will soon have company — ocean fish are on their way to live and grow in Columbia County.
The Israeli company GFA, or Grow Fish Anywhere, and the Brooklyn-based Sanit Corp. announced Thursday they will build and operate a $10.7 million fish farm in the former Acme Building on Route 9.
Called Local Ocean, the new company is the first recirculating salt-water commercial aquaculture operation in the U.S. Todd Erling, deputy executive director of the Columbia Economic Development Corp., called it a “state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, patented filtration system.”
The operation will create 53 full-time jobs over the next three years and seven contract positions.
The company is getting some assistance from New York, in the form of a $175,000 grant from the Empire State Development Corp. and a $175,000 matching grant through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
At the start the farm will take Mediterranean sea bass at two months old and grow them to nine months for sale to restaurants and other outlets. There are plans down the road to add a fish hatchery and research and development toward bringing in other species, said Local Ocean Vice President James Marlow.
“This is a very important moment,” Marlow told a press conference attended by numerous county officials as well as persons associated with GFA and Sanit. The two operative words, he said, are “creation” and “growth.”
“We create a new system and grow fish,” he said. “We also create employment, opportunities and knowledge through research and development. We want a better planet for our children. We want to salvage as many species as possible, and generate high-quality protein.”
He said the plant would have zero emissions, nor would it discharge into the septic or sewer systems.
The patented filtration system “turns the aquaculture paradigm upside-down,” Marlow told the Register-Star.
“Other systems remove the byproducts of fish,” he said. “We keep a balance between the micro-organisms and the fish. The byproducts of the fish are food for the micro-organisms; the micro-organisms clean the water. Once fish are too big, we remove them.”
Local Ocean will have its headquarters here; Marlow will scout for new locations around the country.
He said the plan is to keep distribution within a five-hour radius.
“We want to keep it fresh,” he said. “We will be in position to service the restaurant business mainly.”
State Sen. Steve Saland, R,C,I-Poughkeepsie, called this a great day.
“The sun is shining on Columbia County,” he said. “We’ve seen some adversity. This is an opportunity to create jobs; it can only grow. There’s the potential for another 100 jobs.”
Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, R,C,I-Red Hook, said he was gratified the private and public sectors were working together, jobs would be created and green industry was coming to make Columbia County competitive.
Erling said Marlow came to the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Council, which Erling heads up, in June 2008.
“We notified our partner counties,” he told the Register-Star. Columbia County leaders liked the idea and authorized Erling to go after it, “give our best spiel.” Local Ocean did a statewide search, but settled on the Greenport site.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer, R-Hillsdale, called the project a “great opportunity for creating jobs and ... consistent with our strategic plan. We’re talking about a new venture, new technology, a tremendous opportunity for growth.”
Erling said Local Ocean people have been talking to local contractors and suppliers, “acting like new neighbors, embracing the community.”
The skill level of jobs will range from feeders, the company’s “first line of defense,” who watch for problems the fish might have, through laboratory technicians, to higher management, Marlow said.
Columbia County was selected because of its proximity to major markets, particularly New York City.
“We have high expectations,” Marlow said. “With 55 million consumers [within reach], [even] 20,000 tons of fish will not be enough.” Plans are to start at 50 tons a year.
Erling also linked Marlow up with Columbia-Greene Community College to discuss training for employees.
Campion told the Register-Star this could take either a credit or non-credit form.
The college’s proposal for an associate’s degree in laboratory technology is pending at the State University. Meanwhile, the college has funds for training for local companies that were secured by Saland. These non-credit classes don’t require approvals, so could be started anytime.
Supervisor John Rutkey, R-Greenport, called it “great for the town of Greenport. It’s nice to see something coming in for a change.”
Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera said he’s a fish lover.
“A lot more people are being cognizant of what they’re eating,” he said. “There’s nothing better than to know your fish aren’t full of mercury.”
Local Ocean Chief Financial Officer Roy Ben Itzhak said investors from all over the world are waiting to bid on the company. “Everyone’s waiting to see what happens in the Hudson Valley,” he said.
Among the benefits of the new technology, according to information from the CEDC, are:
n Minimum water loss of 1 percent due to evaporation.
n Ten times the output of existing aquaculture systems.
n No environmental pollution, since waste water is not discharged.
n Low energy use.
n A reduced risk of mercury and lead poisoning.
n Easier monitoring of what goes in and out of tanks, making it more possible to raise organic fish.
While most fish farms produce fish like tilapia, catfish, bass and salmon, a saltwater filtration system could allow the introduction of sea bass, grouper, snapper and even tuna, Marlow said. “Ninety percent of the fish we eat are from the ocean,” he said.
Chamber of Commerce President David Colby said, “We’re extremely impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail.” He said he expects the farm to have a good multiplier effect. “It’s the ideal project in a way.”
The 160,000-square-foot Acme building is owned by Michael Spielman. It’s currently used by Kaz and Columbia Memorial Hospital for storage and by Atlas Metalworking for manufacturing.
Local Ocean will use 40,000 square feet in the building, then possibly more as the business expands.
Marlow estimated $5 million sales in the first year. He said the construction costs would be in the neighborhood of $4 million.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
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