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City of Somerset, Kentucky

City of Somerset, Kentucky

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City of Somerset leaders tour new AppHarvest facility

General Government News November 4, 2022

group of eight people standing in indoor farm
Company is packaging first strawberry harvest for national distribution

SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (November 4, 2022) — Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and members of the Somerset City Council on Thursday toured AppHarvest, the community’s new 30-acre sustainable indoor farm, where nearly 1 million strawberry plants are growing.

AppHarvest Inc, (NASDAQ: APPH, APPHW), a public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp, announced in 2021 it would build a high-tech farm in Somerset to contribute to the food supply year-round. AppHarvest focuses on farming more sustainably, using up to 90 percent less water than open-field agriculture and only recycled rainwater. The Somerset facility, which officially opened Thursday, is located off Ky. 461 in the Valley Oak Commerce Complex.

Pulaski Countian Willie Wilson, the facility’s general manager, walked the group through the operation and explained AppHarvest’s farming method. While some areas of the facility are still under construction, the indoor greenhouse is currently producing its first strawberry harvest and will supply the WOW® Berries brand. Strawberries are being packaged and shipped for national distribution, Wilson said.

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AppHarvest Somerset General Manager Willie Wilson gives a tour of the 30-acre facility to city leaders.
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Strawberries are now being harvested at the facility and distributed to grocery stores nationwide.
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AppHarvest Somerset General Manager Willie Wilson explains the growing process for the facility’s nearly 1 million strawberry plants.

The crop is expected to alternate seasonally with English cucumbers.

AppHarvest’s Somerset facility will employ 110 to 120 frontline employees, Wilson said. With today’s opening, AppHarvest now has three farms shipping produce to national customers this fall. The four-farm network consisting of 165 acres — which includes facilities in Morehead, Richmond and Berea — is expected to be operational by the end of 2022.

Keck reminded the group taking the tour how the story with AppHarvest began in Somerset — because company officials took notice of the movement to revitalize downtown and improve quality of life and reached out because they wanted to be a part of it. Alongside the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) and its President and CEO Chris Girdler, the city went to work “trying to find them some dirt,” Keck said.

“AppHarvest is here today because our city council and our team embraced the vision to light up Somerset and make it a better place to live and work,” Keck said. “I am grateful every day they chose to do so, and grateful that AppHarvest chose us. What they have built here is incredible. To know our community is playing a major role in supplying fresh produce to our country year-round is really special.”

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Somerset - The Spirit of Southern Kentucky
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Contact

City Hall / Energy Center
306 E. Mt. Vernon
Somerset, KY 42501

PO Box 989
Somerset, KY 42502

606-679-6366
[email protected]

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Parking Tickets

Parking tickets may be paid in the Office of the City Clerk at 306 E. Mt. Vernon St. or mailed in the original citation envelope. Checks should be made payable to “City of Somerset.” Failure to comply with the citations within seven (7) days will result in the fine being doubled. Failure to pay within 30 days will result in a citation to Pulaski District Court. If convicted in District Court there will be an additional court cost of up to or more than $100. The registered owner of a vehicle at the time of the violation shall be liable for all fines. Fees subject to change without notice.

Parking Fines

Parking over designated time: $5
Parking on painted curb: $5
Loading zone: $5
Double parking: $5
Blocking driveway: $5
Parking on wrong side of street: $5
Parking in fire lane: $10
Parking on sidewalk: $10
Parking at fire plug: $10
Parking in handicapped space $25