Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Dec 17, 2012) — The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) has met with representatives of Endless Harvest.

The commercial greenhouse project in Jamestown is requesting $2 million in loans from local development organizations to start the controlled environment agricuture lettuce project.

Endless Harvest is looking to build the greenhouse near Jamestown and grow lettuce for the Northern Plains market.

Costs for the first phase estimated at about $12 million,

Endless Harvest has obtained about $10 million in loans from the Small Business Administration, an unnamed local bank and the Bank of North Dakota.

Construction of additional phases would be funded through early profits.

Lance Brower, of Jamestown, a consultant for Endless Harvest, said, lettuce during the first phase of the project, could be grown at about 47 cents per head, that could have been wholesaled in 2011, at $1.31 per head.

Endless Harvest developer, Steve Froehlich, said a local investment would guarantee local control.

Brower added a JSDC local investment would help maximize the impact of the project.

JSDC, CEO, Connie Ova said, a combination of loans from the JSDC and South Central Dakota Regional Council might be possible, as JSDC is in the process of determining the best fit for the project.

　

Phase One includes an administrative and classroom building, living quarters and a 2.7-acre greenhouse to grow the lettuce.

Eventually the project plans includes 21.6 acres of greenhouse space and with roughly 45 percent of the lettuce consumed in North Dakota and Minnesota.