An indoor urban farm planned for Milwaukee’s Century City business park was approved for a $425,000 loan to help launch its operation.
Hundred Acre is a food-tech incubator that aims to bring hyper-local fresh greens to Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and restaurants. The city's nonprofit business lender, Milwaukee Economic Development Corp., approved the project for the loan to help finance the $855,000 operation.
"We’re excited to have the support of MEDC and NWSCDC as part of our growing local network in the fight for healthier food systems," said Chris Corkery, CEO of Planet to Plate, the organization behind the project.
Hundred Acre will utilize a 5,000-square-foot controlled environmental system with vertical hydroponics to produce fresh greens year-round like holy basil, spring mix and baby kale. The goal of the project is to improve access to fresh, healthy food while also revitalizing the 30th Street Industrial Corridor. It will occupy space in the Good City Brewing building at Century City.
"Currently, large-scale construction is underway with the project on track to bring hyperlocal food to Milwaukee food businesses and new jobs to the immediate community by end of summer," Corkery said.
Hundred Acre was first proposed back in February. Corkery is also the founder of New York-based Planet to Plate Inc., an organization with a mission to empower individuals, strengthen communities and build futures through access to sustainable food sources.
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Hundred Acre in Milwaukee's Century City business park will be completed this summer. Photo courtesy of Dominic Panico.[/caption]
