Boston – MassDevelopment has sold 14 acres of land at Devens and provided a $4.5 million loan to Little Leaf Farms toward the construction of a new state-of-the-art greenhouse facility to meet the region’s demand for high-quality, pesticide-free, and locally grown leafy green vegetables.
The company plans to grow baby lettuces and greens in its fully automated greenhouse. These greens will be available to consumers in stores within a day after they are harvested.
MassDevelopment’s loan helped finance the construction of the greenhouse and the installation of automated growing equipment for this operation. Little Leaf Farms’ greenhouse operations will be both technologically advanced and environmentally friendly, thanks to a number of state-of-the-art features which include rainwater recycling, advanced LED lighting, and ultra-high-efficiency heating systems.
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Located in north-central Massachusetts and managed by MassDevelopment, Devens hosts businesses, government organizations and nonprofits employing more than 4,000 people. Created by statute in 1993 to support business growth and attract economic development opportunities in the region, the 4,400-acre site features fast-track permitting and other incentives for businesses. The former military installation is recognized today as a national model for military base redevelopment. Along with its business tenants, the Devens community also includes more than 2,100 acres of recreation and open space, private residences, schools, and a network of human and social services providers.
