Industrial hemp production is coming to a small Virginia town in a big way.
Governor Ralph Northam last week announced that Shenandoah Valley Hemp, LLC. (dba Pure Shenandoah) will invest $3.3 million to establish an industrial hemp fiber and cannabidiol (CBD) processing and extraction facility at the historic Casey Jones Company building in the Town of Elkton.
The building is the former site of the work clothing company Casey Jones, which Blue Bell purchased together with the Wrangler brand in 1943.
Pure Shenandoah is a vertically integrated seed-to-sale company that produces a variety of hemp and CBD products
Pure Shenandoah produces its crops under strict regulatory controls and certified good manufacturing practices, with each product being completely traceable back to the seed and farm from which it came.
The company, which will create 24 new jobs at the Elkton facility, has committed to purchasing all of its industrial hemp from Virginia growers, which will result in nearly $5 million in payments to local farmers over the next three years.
“Virginia’s industrial hemp industry continues to experience tremendous growth, creating a wealth of opportunity across our Commonwealth,” says Governor Northam. “Projects like this one are an important part of diversifying our economy and developing new markets for industrial hemp. Our administration remains committed to supporting growers and processors as we work to ensure this crop has a sustainable future in Virginia.”
As part of its marketing, Pure Shenandoah is a participating member of the Virginia’s Finest program, which was created more than 30 years ago with more than 500 participating companies.
The program focuses on helping consumers know they are purchasing top-quality specialty food products made in Virginia, as indicated by a blue and red VA checkmark logo.
Pure Shenandoah will be the first company in the “Virginia’s Finest” program to source the hemp used in its products exclusively from the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Rockingham County and its Economic Development Authority to secure the project for the Commonwealth, and Governor Northam approved a $50,000 grant, which Rockingham County will match with local funds.
The VEDP Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services to support job creation.
“We are honored to receive these funds and to work with such influential state programs that are helping push the industrial hemp industry forward in the Commonwealth,” says Pure Shenandoah CRO Tanner Johnson. “With this support, we will continue to educate and provide safe and effective products to consumers. We are excited to do our part and help expand the future of industrial hemp and all of its potential.”
