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Construction begins on new cranberry farm

June 4, 2009, Rogersville, N.B. — Officials from Ocean Spray recently
broke ground on what they are calling the largest cranberry farm in
North America.

June 4, 2009, Rogersville, N.B. — Officials from Ocean Spray recently broke ground on what they are calling the largest cranberry farm in North America.

A cranberry bog.

Addressing a crowd in front of a sparkling Lake Despres, company CEO Randy Papadellis shared his vision for the 3,400-hectare swath of rich, sandy land by the lake.

Papadellis said the focus now turns to establishing the first 60 hectares of cranberry beds at a cost of $8 million.

The ambitious $90-million investment could eventually lead to upwards of 760 hectares being planted in the area over the next several years, creating about 100 jobs.

Papadellis said the presence of the Massachusetts company in New Brunswick could generate up to $45 million annually for the provincial economy.

Premier Shawn Graham praised Ocean Spray for selecting New Brunswick among many suitors as the site for expanding its cranberry production.

“This is the beginning of a new identity for this village and for our entire province,” he said.

“This is certainly one of the biggest announcements we’ve seen in this region for a long time.”

More than 25 guidelines have been put in place to protect water quality and quantity, fish habitat, and archaeological resources around the site at Lake Despres, said Agricultural Minister Roland Hache.

The new farm is expected to have its first crop in 2012.