Construction Nears Completion at Kirkwood Canopy Growth Facility

Work is moving forward on Canopy Growth Corporation's planned hemp processing operation in Kirkwood, just east of the city of Binghamton.

The former Felchar Manufacturing complex on Pine Camp Drive was acquired for $9.5 million in May 2019.

LeChase Construction crews have been busy at the site, which will provide more than 300,000-square-feet of space for the Canopy Growth facility.

David Culver, the company's vice president for U.S. government relations, said regulatory delays for CBD derived from hemp have "thrown a bit of cold water" in developing the industry.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Culver said Canopy Growth will make its business decisions "based on the products that New York state allows to be manufactured."

Culver said while the company is awaiting more guidance from the state, it also is working with the Food and Drug Administration as federal regulations are developed.

Culver said the needed work at the Kirkwood site has taken longer than expected. He said "it was in a lot worse shape than we really anticipated." He estimated about $20 million has been spent just to get the building "up to code." The Covid-19 pandemic also has caused some delays in developing the facility.

With ongoing regulatory uncertainty, Culver said it's difficult to make employment projections for the plant. But he said the previously-announced goal of 150 employees at the site are "very realistic."

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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