BrightFarms opens a 1.5M sq. ft. hydroponic greenhouse in Macon, Georgia — creating 250+ jobs, reducing food miles, and boosting access to fresh, pesticide-free greens across the Southeast.

Exciting news is growing in the heart of Georgia! BrightFarms, a national pioneer in indoor farming, has officially begun shipping fresh, pesticide-free greens from its newest greenhouse in Macon, which opened in late 2024. This latest expansion is more than just a milestone — it’s a movement toward fresher food, closer to home.

Located just a short drive from Atlanta-based parent company Cox Enterprises, the Macon facility will span 1.5 million square feet when fully completed. It’s the latest in a series of rapid expansions, following the opening of new greenhouse hubs in Lorena, Texas, and Yorkville, Illinois — all within six months.

Beyond fresh produce, BrightFarms is planting the seeds of economic growth. Once fully operational, the Macon greenhouse will create over 250 local jobs with competitive benefits from day one — a meaningful investment in the community’s future.

“We’re thrilled to have started shipping from our first greenhouse in Georgia, expanding access to our pesticide-free leafy greens across the country,” said Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer of BrightFarms. “The Southeast is one of the fastest-growing markets for indoor-grown greens, and this facility allows us to meet rising demand with high-quality, locally grown produce. We’re also proud to be part of the Georgia Grown program, supporting local agriculture and contributing to the state’s economy.”

The greenhouse isn’t just high-tech — it’s thoughtfully built. Using Green Automation’s advanced lettuce growing system and Kubo’s ultra-clima technology, BrightFarms creates the perfect environment to grow fresh produce year-round. And thanks to its local proximity, greens harvested in Macon can reach store shelves in as little as 24 hours, ensuring peak freshness with fewer food miles.

BrightFarms’ expanded greenhouse network now reaches two-thirds of Americans. As part of this scaling strategy, the company recently announced the planned closure of older, early-stage facilities in Selinsgrove (PA), Rochelle (IL), and Hendersonville (NC) — a move that aligns with its focus on high-efficiency, next-generation farms.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have BrightFarms join our community here in Macon,” said Mayor of Macon, Lester Miller. “This is a big win for our local economy and a step forward in supporting the health of our residents today and for generations to come.”

The Macon site also holds a special place in the Cox Enterprises family. It’s home to the first-ever Cox Farms Discovery Center — an educational space built to inspire, train, and equip the next generation of agricultural leaders and support partners in retail.

“Through Cox Enterprises, we’ve been proud to call Georgia home since 1939,” said Steve Bradley, President of Cox Farms. “Our deep commitment to the state is reflected in our investments across industries, from Cox Communications to philanthropic initiatives like Cox Conserves, and many more. With our new Macon greenhouse, we’re bringing the promise of fresh food to our home state, supporting the future of agriculture, workforce development, and community growth.”

And BrightFarms’ mission doesn’t stop at retail. In January 2025, Cox Farms teamed up with Feeding America to fight food insecurity across North America. Through this partnership, fresh produce will be delivered directly from greenhouses to food banks — including right here in Georgia through the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.

From farm to fork, and from job creation to education, BrightFarms’ latest venture is a celebration of community, innovation, and the power of local food.

To learn more, visit www.brightfarms.com.