Ketchikan Ever Greens is a local hydroponic vertical farming producer of leafy greens, lettuce, and herbs. The innovative technology allows owners Geoff and Jessica Jans to provide non-GMO, pesticide-free greens directly to your plate, year-round. Ketchikan Ever Greens products offer year-round, nutrient-dense, minimally handled greens with remarkable shelf life.
While still in the start-up phase of our business plan, Geoff and Jessica made the decision to expand the business’s capacity to meet the forecasted demand. To explore what lending opportunities existed for a startup business they approached Shelly Hill of the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC). They explained that “Shelly was instrumental in helping us develop a game plan. We updated and expanded our business plan and financial forecast, and she provided critical feedback through the process.”
In pursuing their loan opportunity the Jans’ reflected that Hill “introduced us to lending options that ranged from local community development lenders to banks that could underwrite an SBA loan. In just a few weeks from reaching out, we are happy to have been approved for the funding with an SBA 7a Express Loan, and we can close in the next 60 days.”
With a drive to be a part of Ketchikan’s community as well as provide solutions to supply chain weaknesses, Ketchikan Ever Greens was formed to become a reliable source of nutritious and affordable food for its community. About their process, they explain “Our precision-controlled and automated growing environment allows our plants to achieve their full potential. The efficiencies of our hydroponic system conserve water, minimizes power use, and eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides. Combined with Ketchikan’s hydroelectric grid and our hyper-local production, we offer a sustainable solution to many of the issues brought on by our community’s long and difficult supply chain.”
Learn more about Ketchikan Ever Greens online at www.ketchikanevergreens.com as this local business continues to grow!
