Raymond, Pacific County – July 26, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded Tidal Grow® AgriScience, a division of Tidal Vision Products Inc., a $2.3 million Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) grant to fund an expansion of fertilizer production facility in Washington State.
"Amidst continued global conflict and disrupted supply chains, American growers need novel regenerative solutions that improve soil and plant health to achieve higher yields," said Norm Davy, CCO at Tidal Grow AgriScience. "Made by up-cycling waste from the seafood industry, our plant nutrition and crop protection products offer agronomists and growers creative solutions to solve some of agriculture’s greatest challenges."
USDA officials toured the expansion project today in Raymond, Pacific County. During the visit, Cindy Axne, USDA Senior Advisor for Rural Delivery, Engagement and Prosperity and USDA Rural Development Washington State Director Helen Price Johnson presented the company with the “Investing in America Certificate of Excellence”. This award recognized the company's exemplary dedication, cooperation, and proactive leadership in meeting the needs of rural communities.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to lowering costs for America's farmers by supporting competition in the fertilizer market,” Senior Advisor Axne said during the tour and presentation. “These investments, including the project I am visiting today, made possible through the Commodity Credit Corporation, will increase domestic fertilizer production and create good-paying jobs right here in Washington."
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is part of a government-wide effort to promote competition in agricultural markets. The program supports fertilizer production that is independent, made-in-America, innovative, sustainable, and farmer-focused. According to Tom Robeson, Vice President of Manufacturing at Tidal Grow AgriScience, the grant funding will enable the company to triple supply for growers nationwide and support domestic production with next-generation technologies.
“Our proprietary carbon-based fertilizers improve nutrient uptake and build soil health with marine-based omega lipids, amino-acid nitrogen, and critical soluble nutrients like phosphorus and calcium," he added.
In addition to the expansion of the Raymond facility, Tidal Grow AgriScience will immediately begin constructing on a new facility in Orange, Texas, to rapidly increase the production and availability of bioactive fertilizers. The manufacturing locations in Texas and Washington were strategically chosen to align with the supply chain for efficient distribution, supporting America’s crop production. Due to growing market demand for the portfolio of technologies offered by Tidal Grow AgriScience, Tidal Vision plans to invest over $20 million in additional capital expenditure. These investments will scale manufacturing for these advanced agricultural products and introduce novel technologies to the market within two to three years.
“Today we saw what a major impact this investment will have on fertilizer production in our country,” said Price Johnson. “Investing in a climate smart future for rural communities and small businesses helps create a resilient economy, build jobs, and generate wealth, which is crucial for rural prosperity in Washington State.”
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wa.