MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WCJB)-- The medical marijuana industry is expanding throughout the country and continues to grow right here in North Central Florida.
One of Florida's largest medical marijuana growing facilities is coming to Marion County.
"We began working earlier this year with the developer, working with GTI as they were nearing down on a site for their facility,” said President and CEO of the Ocala / Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership, Kevin Sheilley.
In working with the CEP, Green Thumb Industries has purchased the property formerly home to the Mark III Industrial Park, just off of Old Blitchton Road.
GTI plans to begin demolition at the beginning of 2020 and hopes to be in full operation by the end of next year.
According to the Sheilley, this new facility will offer over 100 jobs to residents and produce a capital investment of 20 million dollars.
"They need production workers but they also require chemists, engineers, technology-related positions so it's a really go a diverse group of employees we're looking at at this facility,” Sheilley added.
Under Florida law, the location will be vertically integrated, meaning they will own and operate their own facility, producing product for their dispensaries.
GTI currently operates six dispensaries under the name rise in the state.
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