Aquabanq, a controlled-environment aquaculture company, has announced its acquisition of land in Hampshire County, West Virginia. The purchase is part of the company's long-term plan to construct state-of-the-art production facilities and a shrimp processing plant in the state.
The facilities will supply high-quality, non-GMO, U.S.-raised shrimp to consumers in West Virginia and surrounding states, including the Washington, D.C. metro area. The development, the company says, will create job opportunities for local residents across various sectors and promote economic growth in the area.
Phase I of the project is planned to begin with the construction of two farming units capable of producing a total of 550,000 pounds of shrimp annually, with a total investment of USD 8 million. Subsequently, Phase II will involve the expansion of production capacities and the initiation of on-site processing, accompanied by an additional investment exceeding USD 22 million.
Aquabanq calls the project a "significant investment" in the rural economy of Hampshire County, highlighting the company's commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of West Virginia. The shrimp farming facilities are expected to play a crucial role in bringing much-needed, long-lasting economic growth to the area.
"We're delighted to build our shrimp production plant in Hampshire County, West Virginia, where we'll not only generate jobs and expand our business but also actively engage with the community," said A.J. Shapiro, CEO and Co-Founder of Aquabanq.
The facilities will be located in the Capon Bridge Technology and Business Park, Hampshire County, West Virginia.
Aquabanq is an aquaculture business that focuses on sustainable, domestic seafood production with an emphasis on food safety. The company raises shrimp in controlled-environment facilities close to markets, which reduces its CO2 footprint, and uses zero-liquid discharge recirculating aquaculture systems, which fully separates aquaculture from the surrounding environment.