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Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High near 80F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Partly cloudy. Low 61F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

ELLICOTTVILLE — An Ellicottville company plans on building a vertical growing farm to supply fresh greens to area restaurants, the Seneca-Allegany Casino and county schools.

Ellicottville Greens founder and CEO Gabriel Bialkowski outlined his plans Tuesday for vertical farming at a Simmons Road location in Ellicottville to members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency.

It would be the first full-scale indoor farm in the Southern Tier, but requires financial assistance, Bialkowski said. Eight full-time and two part-time jobs would be created within two years.

Plans call for growing leafy green vegetables, but if there is a need locally for a different crop, Ellicottville Greens can supply it, Bialkowski said.

He said the Simmons Road property is being considered due to its proximity to a planned solar power facility. The company hopes to participate in Recharge NY through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Start-up funding is also being sought through Launch NY.

Bialkowski said the objective is to provide local, fresh, affordable and sustainable leafy vegetables.

Bialkowski’s investment in the project is estimated at $710,000 including $550,000 for a 9,120-square-foot building.

About 30% of the sales are expected to be in Cattaraugus County, 65% outside the county, but in New York state, and 5% outside New York but in the U.S.

Ellicottville Greens was formed in 2019 as an indoor farm management company that owns, operates and acquires indoor vertical farms. It’s hoped the vertical farm — made up of mobile modular shipping containers inside the pole barn, is the first of many for the company here.

The company currently operates out of a Transit Road location in Buffalo. The new headquarters will be located in Ellicottville, Bialkowski said. The greens will be marketed under the Ellicottville Greens and Vertical Fresh Farms brands.

The IDA application from Ellicottville Greens seeks tax-exempt financing.

IDA Executive Director Corey Wiktor said a public hearing would be set for early August and the IDA board of directors could act on the application at its next meeting.

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