July 2024

Insights and Strategies for Design & Build with Jeff Lair

Designer And Builder Of CEA Facilities Inks $14M Contract For Expansion Of Indoor Cannabis Cultivation Facility In Ohio

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DAG, a designed and builder of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities for the indoor agriculture industry, has been awarded a new contract for a $14 million expansion project for Ascension Biomedical’s indoor cannabis cultivation facility.

Ascension is an Ohio-owned craft cultivation facility committed to using clean growing practices, as well as harvesting and trimming 100% by hand, which helps preserve vital terpenes and cannabinoids, showcasing the unique characteristics and expressions of each cultivar.

“We are looking forward to expanding our cultivation operations to further serve the patients and consumers of Ohio,” said Fadi Boumitri, CEO of Ascension. “We engaged with DAG to help ensure our facility can produce the highest quality flower in Ohio from the moment it comes online. DAG has a reputation for getting cannabis facilities operational and performing at a high level, and that is exactly what we are expecting here.”

Ascension’s craft operation is in a custom-built, 19,328-square-foot facility in Oberlin, Ohio. The expansion will add 27,314 square feet, totaling 46,642 square feet. The existing building will be adapted for post-harvest use and the new building will be utilized for cultivation. With a newly constructed 40-foot high cultivation facility, the project will be comprised of two identical floors. This allows for a homogenous standard operating procedure, uniform canopy design, and production resulting in a greater yield of high-quality product.

DAG is leading the pre-construction phase of the project handling design documentation, early procurement, and establishing final cost components. DAG has utilized the services of Core Design Group for the preparation of fully detailed construction drawings. Construction is commencing June 2024 with an estimated completion in March 2025. 

“It is a privilege to work with Ascension to help expand its indoor cannabis cultivation facility in Ohio delivering integrated planning, design, and construction services,” DAG CEO Mark Gemignani said in a statement.”We are proud to collaborate with companies such as Ascension that are focused on providing a consistent, premium-level quality product.”