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Fish firm gets $175,000 state grant
By Jamie Larson
GREENPORT—Local Ocean, a new aquaculture indoor fish farm, learned Wednesday it will receive a $175,000 grant from the state. The money will go towards early working capital for harvesting the fish as well as leverage $10.38 million in private financing.
Local Ocean is in the initial stages of raising its first catch. They will provide four types of Mediterranean salt water fish to restaurants throughout the northeast. The operation uses technology used at only one other in the world, Israel, and plans on having fish on plates within eight hours of leaving their tanks. Currently,fish shipped from the Mediterranean reach American diners as old as two weeks, the organization claims.
The Community Development Block Grant was awarded by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, stating that Local Oceans was selected because it will create 21 jobs — 11 will come from low to moderate income area families.
James Marlow, vice president of strategic development, was amazed when he heard about the money. “We are thrilled,” he said. “This doesn’t only help Local Ocean, it also helps the whole community. It means we can expand even faster.”
Marlow said working with Columbia County businessmen and officials has been positive. Local Oceans is using this technology for the first time in the U.S. and local officials could have dismissed them as dreamers, Marlow said, but instead peaked their curiosity. “We have delivered, 11 months later we have 45,000 new residents living in Columbia County,” he said, referring to the schools of babies swimming in their facility.
Local Ocean worked closely with the Columbia Hudson Partnership worked to get the farm the grant as part of the incentives package to draw the start-up to the old Acme warehouse in Greenport. Columbia Hudson Partnership Deputy Executive Director Todd Erling said the grant will get Local Oceans off the ground faster and hopefully attract more investors.
Erling said he hopes this serves an example of their commitment to fostering new businesses in Columbia County.
“One of the most important things we can do is give small businesses the tools they need to succeed and create more jobs and more opportunities for families,” DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said. “These economic development grants will strengthen the fabric of communities by promoting entrepreneurial spirit and helping small businesses grow and contribute to the quality of New York State.”
Local Ocean is in the initial stages of raising its first catch. They will provide four types of Mediterranean salt water fish to restaurants throughout the northeast. The operation uses technology used at only one other in the world, Israel, and plans on having fish on plates within eight hours of leaving their tanks. Currently,fish shipped from the Mediterranean reach American diners as old as two weeks, the organization claims.
The Community Development Block Grant was awarded by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, stating that Local Oceans was selected because it will create 21 jobs — 11 will come from low to moderate income area families.
James Marlow, vice president of strategic development, was amazed when he heard about the money. “We are thrilled,” he said. “This doesn’t only help Local Ocean, it also helps the whole community. It means we can expand even faster.”
Marlow said working with Columbia County businessmen and officials has been positive. Local Oceans is using this technology for the first time in the U.S. and local officials could have dismissed them as dreamers, Marlow said, but instead peaked their curiosity. “We have delivered, 11 months later we have 45,000 new residents living in Columbia County,” he said, referring to the schools of babies swimming in their facility.
Local Ocean worked closely with the Columbia Hudson Partnership worked to get the farm the grant as part of the incentives package to draw the start-up to the old Acme warehouse in Greenport. Columbia Hudson Partnership Deputy Executive Director Todd Erling said the grant will get Local Oceans off the ground faster and hopefully attract more investors.
Erling said he hopes this serves an example of their commitment to fostering new businesses in Columbia County.
“One of the most important things we can do is give small businesses the tools they need to succeed and create more jobs and more opportunities for families,” DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said. “These economic development grants will strengthen the fabric of communities by promoting entrepreneurial spirit and helping small businesses grow and contribute to the quality of New York State.”
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