Clyde Simmons hopes to make a decision before the end of the summer as to where his proposed greenhouse facility will be set up.
The Corner Brook resident is still considering options in the Cormack and Stephenville areas for the agricultural enterprise.
In early spring, Simmons had said the project will likely be going somewhere west of Corner Brook after he could not find a location in the Deer Lake area. The Cormack location near Deer Lake is still in the mix, he told The Western Star Tuesday.
Simmons is working with the energy sector of the Siemens corporation and said he’s waiting on what the firm has to say before he makes a decision on the location.
“I’m looking at utilizing alternative energy to heat and provide electricity to the greenhouse and they are doing engineering and design work for that,” said Simmons. “The design and build is going to be based on a couple of factors. As soon as I get a little bit more information from Siemens, I will determine which is the best location to put the greenhouse.”
Simmons is considering both Crown land and privately-owned properties for the location. He said he needs at least 40 acres to get the project up and running.
While he does not require fertile soil to operate a greenhouse, he is looking to set up in an area that is already zoned for agriculture. Simmons plans to grow produce, such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and cucumber.
The weather data on which the business plan is based shows the Deer Lake and Stephenville areas as good locations in western Newfoundland.
“Deer Lake and Stephenville have the most sunlight, the highest degree temperature days and are not restricted by mountains,” he said. “There is less of a snowload in these areas as well.”
Simmons has been holding weekly conference calls with Siemens and hopes to have their energy report within four to six weeks. It is possible he could begin on-site work later this year, but said it will now most likely be the spring before the greenhouse is in operation.
“The project can be put up fairly quickly once we can get started,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting all the ducks in order.”
