Work starts on foodeast–haumako
Diggers have started work at the foodeast-haumako site this week, with site preparation due to be completed in December before construction starts early next year.
Foodeast-haumako board chairman Craig Foss said it was very pleasing to see action on the Hanui Rd site. “This has been some time in the planning and designing phases, but now we will begin to see rapid progress.”
Due to escalating materials costs, the main building had been redesigned to ensure it remained within budget.
“We are very pleased that the redesign of the main building to a single level will remain true to the original intent as the food innovation hub for Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast.”
Craig Foss – foodeast-haumako Board Chairman
Foodeast-haumako is owned through a partnership between Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company (the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s investment company), Hastings District Council, and Progressive Meats. It is being funded by Kānoa, the Government’s Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit through a Provincial Growth Fund grant of $12 million and an investment of $6m from the three regional investors.
The kaupapa is to develop a centre of excellence for food innovation, with a team that will link growers and manufacturers in the food and beverage sectors with experts that can assist them to develop innovative new products and take them to market. The range of interest is broad, from companies looking to extract value from waste streams or develop health products, to those interested in plant-based proteins or sustainable packaging.
The project has to “wash its own face” and to support that there will be long- and short-term lease spaces within the facility.
Mr Foss said the ground work was expected to be completed by Christmas, with construction on the first of the two buildings due to start in January 2023, subject to a satisfactory tendering process.
For more information contact:
Diane Joyce – Joyce Communications
joycecomms@outlook.com
021 612270