Hydroponic growing can be a lucrative business. Plant Agricultural Systems (PLANT-AS) is investing heavily in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas with plans to develop over 1,100 acres of advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) production facilities. These facilities will provide produce for the entire southwestern U.S., including leafy greens and vine crops such as tomatoes, utilizing state-of-the-art hydroponic technology.
At the Centerpoint East site in Amarillo, PLANT-AS will invest an estimated $510 million into 9 million square feet of CEA production on 400 acres over seven years; creating more than 700 full time jobs with a payroll of $35 million when fully operationalized. In Lubbock they plan to invest approximately $670 million into 13.3 millions square feet on 700 acres over 10 years; resulting in 900 full time positions with an expected payroll of 45$million upon completion .
The company claims that their methods use 70 to 90 percent less water than traditional agricultural practices do..
This major investment marks yet another step forward for sustainable agriculture solutions across the Southwest United States region