Industrial hemp company to locate in Rockingham

Using the trade name Pure Shenandoah, Elkton-based Shenandoah Valley Hemp LLC will invest nearly $3.3 million to establish an industrial hemp fiber processing and cannabidiol (CBD) oil extraction facility in Rockingham County, creating 24 jobs.

The company has committed to purchasing 100% of its industrial hemp from Virginia growers, resulting in nearly $5 million in payments to Virginia farmers over the next three years. Pure Shenandoah will become the first participant in the Virginia’s Finest trademark program to source the hemp used in its products.

Pure Shenandoah operates as a vertically integrated “seed to sale” company, with traceability of each product back to the seed and farm from which it came.

“Virginia’s industrial hemp industry continues to experience tremendous growth, creating a wealth of opportunity across our commonwealth,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. “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.”

Northam has approved a $50,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund for the project, which Rockingham County will match with local funds. Funding and services to support the company’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

As part of its strategic marketing efforts, Pure Shenandoah is a participating member of the Virginia’s Finest program. Created more than 30 years ago with more than 500 participating companies, this program helps consumers know they are purchasing top-quality Virginia-produced specialty food products

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