NEWARK, NJ—A novel approach to the challenge of creating urban agriculture got underway in a heavily industrial section of New Jersey's largest city today. State and local officals joined executives of AeroFarms for the groundbreaking of the company's 69,000 square-foot, $30 million vertical farm facility in the Ironbound section.
The vertical farm takes advantage of AeroFarms' advanced aeroponic technology for growing vegetables. Plants are grown on a recyclable cloth medium that allows the roots to be misted with a blend of nutrients and water. Special LED lights deliver the exact spectrum of light the plants require for most efficient photosynthesis.
AeroFarms' vertical farm is being built on the site of a converted steel factory at 212 Rome Street. The project is a public/private partnership underwritten by the City of Newark, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Goldman Sachs, and Newark-based Prudential Financial.
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Steve Lubetkin
Steve Lubetkin is the New Jersey and Philadelphia editor for GlobeSt.com. He is currently filling in covering Chicago and Midwest markets until a new permanent editor is named. He previously filled in covering Atlanta. Steve’s journalism background includes print and broadcast reporting for NJ news organizations. His audio and video work for GlobeSt.com has been honored by the Garden State Journalists Association, and he has also been recognized for video by the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He has produced audio podcasts on CRE topics for the NAR Commercial Division and the CCIM Institute. Steve has also served (from August 2017 to March 2018) as national broadcast news correspondent for CEOReport.com, a news website focused on practical advice for senior executives in small- and medium-sized companies. Steve also reports on-camera and covers conferences for NJSpotlight.com, a public policy news coverage website focused on New Jersey government and industry; and for clients of StateBroadcastNews.com, a division of The Lubetkin Media Companies LLC. Steve has been the computer columnist for the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey, since 1996. Steve is co-author, with Toronto-based podcasting pioneer Donna Papacosta, of the book, The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional. You can email Steve at [email protected].
