Local Bounti celebrated the opening of its Pasco facility – and adding 40-plus new jobs to the area's workforce – on May 7 with a ribbon cutting.

The Montana-based indoor agriculture company has a 3-acre controlled environment agriculture facility, or CEA, at 950 S. Elm Ave. The facility uses a patented technology called “stack and flow” to cultivate leafy greens such as spring mix, butter lettuce, romaine crisp, green leaf and additional blends for the Pacific Northwest market.

The facility is expected to bring more than 40 jobs, the company said.

It was seeded in January and completed its food safety certification in April.

“We are proud to officially be able to call Pasco home with the opening of this latest facility, which enhances our rapidly growing distribution footprint across the U.S,” said CEO Craig Hurlbert in a statement. “Our state-of-the-art CEA facility, which is underpinned by our innovative and patented Stack & Flow Technology, enables us to support existing customer demand in Washington, Oregon and adjacent markets in the Pacific Northwest. We are excited about the opportunities this facility creates, not only for our company but also for the local economy and the environment. Our pledge to sustainability and community engagement remains unwavering, and we look forward to contributing positively to Pasco and the broader Pacific Northwest region.”

Local Bounti has opened a 3-acre facility in Pasco that's home to the company's patented stack and flow technology that "seamlessly blends the advantages of vertical and greenhouse cultivation, setting the stage for a new era in sustainable agriculture," Local Bounti said in a statement.

| Courtesy Local Bounti

Jacob Gonzalez, Pasco community and economic development director, said the city welcomes Local Bounti. “Their dedication to integrating into the community, creating jobs and prioritizing sustainable practices represents a substantial investment in Pasco's future. We are eager to collaborate with Local Bounti as they contribute to our city’s growth and diversity of economic opportunities,” he said in the statement.

Local Bounti initially planned to include local officials and community leaders in the May 7 ribbon cutting but then canceled the public portion of events.

A spokeswoman said the company plans to reschedule.