Multimillion-dollar medical marijuana grow operation could bring dozens of jobs to Baker County

BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — A multimillion-dollar medical marijuana grow operation could bring dozens of jobs to Baker County.

But some neighbors worry about what this new green business will mean for them.

The warehouse will grow about 25,000 plants and bring anywhere from 80 to 100 jobs here to Baker County.

Acreage Holdings general manager Rhonda Kratz told Action News Jax that the company bought the old Sanderson roof tile plant for more than $3 million.

"We anticipate we will be complete somewhere in the summer of 2020," Kratz said.

Acreage Holdings chose Baker County because the temperatures are ideal for growing marijuana.

Kratz says plants will grow from seeds inside eight 1,500-square-foot containers.

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Medical marijuana will then be processed and distributed at the warehouse through a dispensary storefront.

Right now, the company is looking for people to help run the business.

"We will have a variety of jobs, all the way from no experience necessary," Kratz said.

Action News Jax reporter Jamarlo Phillips has found that some neighbors are cautious. Comments on Facebook show that many worry about drug activity and feel the county should try to attract other businesses.

But Baker County Chamber of Commerce president Darryl Registers calls this a partnership, one he hopes will pay off in the long run.

"In a county where more than 60% of our working population leaves the county every day to go to work, anytime you can have 80 good high-paying jobs come into your community is a win," Registers said.

Kratz pointed to the opportunity for local residents to get wat she calls them "21st century agriculture jobs."

"We're recruiting now," She said.

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