Agricultural Scientific has announced that construction is now underway on the Agriculture Technology Campus (ATC), an agricultural project in South Carolina aiming to transform food production in the Eastern U.S.
Located at the 1,000-acre Agriculture Technology Campus, the high-tech hub will feature a hydroponic greenhouse and processing facility in Early Branch, SC. It will produce locally grown, organic tomatoes with 90% greater water efficiency than traditional farming, reducing dependence on imports from Mexico, California, and Canada.
Initially announced in September 2020 during the COVID pandemic, the highly anticipated project that garnered international interest, has been galvanized through a strategic partnership between Phoenix Lender Services, a subsidiary of Community Bankshares, Inc. and Optus Bank of South Carolina.
Backed by a complex capital stack of USDA Business & Industry and Food Supply Chain loans, the project will enable 400+ acres of hydroponic greenhouses to produce year-round vegetables, cutting water use and eliminating pesticides. Upon completion, this innovative project will bring $350 million in private capital investment and over 1000 direct jobs to rural Hampton County and the surrounding region.
"This isn't just about growing vegetables—it's about reshaping the future of agriculture and re-shoring our critical U.S. supply chain," said Zeb Portanova, CEO of Agricultural Scientific. "By producing fresh, high-quality produce closer to consumers, we can reduce food miles, cut emissions, and limit our reliance on foreign countries. Thank you to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for her integral support of this project."
"This is a landmark moment for agriculture, rural America, and sustainability," said Chris Hurn, President of Phoenix Lender Services and Community Bankshares, Inc. "By investing in local food production, we're not only boosting U.S. agriculture but also bringing manufacturing back home, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and creating lasting economic impact."
"This facility represents the future of sustainable food production," said Reggie Webber, Chief Credit Officer of Optus Bank. "It's not just an investment in farming—it's an investment in economic stability, job creation, and environmental responsibility.
"At Optus Bank, we are proud to bank on communities through innovation, impact, and economic empowerment. Our strategic partnership with Community Bankshares and their subsidiaries, Phoenix Lender Services, allows us to achieve a key strategic imperative for the Bank," said Benita Lefft, President of Optus Bank.
A total USDA loan capital stack of $46,157,187 was successfully structured through the partnership. This included two food supply chain loans totaling $29,610,400 and a Business & Industry (B&I) loan of $16,546,787.
"The Agriculture Technology Campus has been the talk of Hampton County since it was first announced, and the commencement of construction could not have come at a better time. We in Hampton County understand that good economic development has a direct tie to a better quality of life for all of our citizens, and we are excited about this innovative agricultural project. We thank everyone involved in the ATC project for their support, and we look forward to working with the company for decades to come as new jobs and opportunities emerge in Hampton County," said Dr. Roy Hollingsworth, Chairman of Hampton County Council.
"SouthernCarolina Alliance is delighted to see this critical project coming to fruition. We appreciate the support of our partners at USDA, the SC Dept. of Commerce, the SC Dept. of Agriculture, Phoenix Lender Services, Community Bankshares, and Optus Bank in facilitating this investment in our region. Good jobs and investment change communities, and this project will not only affect Hampton County locally, but also improve the quality of life in our region and beyond through both its economic impact and fresher, healthier produce for all," said Danny Black, President and CEO, SouthernCarolina Alliance.
For more information:
Agriculture Technology Campus
info@gemozf.com
https://agtechcampus.com