Hartford, CT--Miami's AYR Wellness is on track to enhance its national presence by proposing a 64,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation center at 101 Granby St., Bloomfield. This southern Bloomfield location is just a stone's throw away from the Hartford line.
[Image screenshot via AYR Wellness]
AYR currently runs dispensaries in six states and intends to expand its footprint by building its first business unit in Connecticut. According to a news report published in Hartford Courant, the location, mainly an overgrown field surrounded by a fence, spans nearly 8 acres at the corner of Tobey Road. The listed property owner, Granby Tobey LLC, recently had it assessed at $215,000.
Community Impact and Local Response
Per the report, the company believes that the cannabis-growing center in a designated industrial zone would significantly benefit Bloomfield's economy and community.
Residents and other stakeholders will be able to learn more about the proposal during a Town Plan and Zoning Commission hearing scheduled for Thursday evening. This virtual session on Zoom will allow the public to voice their opinions.
The plan follows Bloomfield's recent approval of Fine Fettle's request to construct a cultivation center spanning 46,000 square feet. Fine Fettle expects to employ between 40 and 90 workers in various roles once operational.
AYR’s Vision for Bloomfield
While the center will exclusively focus on cultivation without public sales, AYR anticipates a daily staff of 75 employees, operating between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Beyond the cultivation center, AYR has a strong national presence, operating 18 cultivation and production facilities totaling over 1.2 million square feet, with 83 retail outlets and a workforce of 2,400.
In its Bloomfield application, the company highlights its commitment to community upliftment. The company prides itself on community-driven initiatives, emphasizing restorative justice, equity, inclusion, and localized service.
Tapping Into Social Equity Initiatives
Ayr Wellness isn't new to Connecticut's cannabis landscape. In a noteworthy partnership with Connecticut Cultivation Solutions, co-owned by Hartford City Councilwoman Tiana Hercules, AYR played an instrumental role in obtaining a provisional Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) cultivator license. This collaboration allowed them to be among the initial cannabis growers in Connecticut's budding adult-use market.
With AYR's expertise and capital, the duo embarked on multiple social justice and equity projects, including educational pathways and expungement clinics.
Looking Ahead
AYR's CEO, David Goubert, remains optimistic about the company's future. Per the news report, he anticipates accelerated growth due to expansions in regions like Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, and Connecticut. Their product range includes popular consumer-packaged brands, which they distribute through their outlets and licensed third-party retailers.
Addressing residents' concerns, AYR assures comprehensive odor control measures for their Bloomfield facility, employing advanced HVAC systems and filtering technologies.
With AYR's proposed Connecticut facility, the state looks poised to become a hotspot for cannabis cultivation, driving economic and social growth.