X-Caliber Rural Capital secures funding for new Hardee Fresh vertical farm

X-Caliber Rural Capital, an affiliate of X-Caliber Holdings and a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed lender for rural business and economic development projects, announced the closing of a $56 million bridge loan for a Hardee Fresh vertical farming facility in Americus, Georgia.

Hardee Fresh also has farm in Wauchula, Florida. Like the Florida location, the Georgia farm will be “powered by onsite renewable energy.” The new construction is expected to be complete by late 2024.

Hardee Fresh is transforming the way millions of Americans will be able to eat healthy produce,” said Halton A. Peters, Ph.D. Co-Founder and President of Hardee Fresh, “We are expanding our ability to use cutting-edge technology to ensure that our leafy greens are all natural and organic.”

Per the release, the new vertical farm “will be entirely enclosed, with every part of the growing and packing process of its leafy and organic greens under continuous monitoring and active environmental control to achieve the highest levels of product safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.”

The non-USDA loan that will be used for ground-up construction.

“Our team is pleased to have provided an effective financing solution to our client for the construction of their new and much larger facility and the high number of construction and production jobs that go with it,” said Jordan Blanchard, Executive Manager, Co-Founder of X-Caliber Rural Capital.

X-Caliber Rural Capital partnered with American Lending Center, an impact investor that seeks to create jobs in rural locations.

“America Lending Center is proud to partner with X-Caliber on this transaction,” said CEO John Shen. “We are committed to economic development in rural communities, and we are excited to see the impact this project will have on Americus and the surrounding communities.”