he greenhouses at JCGEP are heated with a dual-fuel boiler that runs on methane gas from the former Dillsboro landfill, with bio-diesel as the backup fuel source.

One half of the 7500 square feet of space is home to plants being propagated and raised by the County Grounds & Maintenance Dept. for landscaping projects. The remaining space is rented by a private business as a part of our business incubator program.

By renting the greenhouse space at the Green Energy Park for one to three years, local growers are able to build their businesses without having to invest in greenhouse construction.

JCGEP is currently seeking a tenant for the greenhouse space beginning January 1, 2011. For more information about becoming a tenant, view our application form or contact us directly.

  


Recycled Greenhouses — In early 2006, JCGEP received a donation of abandoned greenhouses from former local growers Coy and Chris Melton. The greenhouses were disassembled from the original site and transported to JCGEP by the Jackson County Maintenance and Grounds Departments and the Haywood Community College Horticulture Club, restoring what had been an eyesore for over ten years, to a beautiful meadow.

Reconstruction of the new 7500 square foot greenhouses was completed using steel from the donated framework, saving roughly $25,000 in materials. Funds to complete the greenhouses were generously granted by Appalachian Regional Commission, Golden Leaf, and USDA Rural Development.