Changing Landscape

Ever since legalization first became a buzzword, it has been apparent how many jobs cannabis can bring and how it can make a positive change in many communities. The town of Pueblo has been struggling for years, despite the economic advantages that other cities in Colorado have gained. Now, Pueblo’s economy is about to be revitalized by legal cannabis.

Doyen Elements, a company that buys warehouses and turns them into grows, has recently made a bold move in Pueblo. It will be buying an old Pepsi plant, which has remained empty and abandoned for years, and turning it in to a cultivation facility. This plant used to supply thousands of jobs back when the town of Pueblo was more of an industrial center. Now it has the opportunity to become that once again.

“Cannabis is revitalizing Pueblo, Colorado, which has a long history of unemployment since the steel mill closed 20-plus years ago.”

“Cannabis is revitalizing Pueblo, Colorado, which has a long history of unemployment since the steel mill closed 20-plus years ago,” explained Geoff Thompson, representative for the company. “Doyen Elements is paving the way with the complete remodel of an old Pepsi bottling plant into the state-of-the-art, 250,000 square feet cannabis grow technology center. Doyen provides the support services required to push the cannabis industry into more sophisticated businesses for those who do touch the plant.”

In addition to buying the building for cannabis cultivation, Doyen will remodel the property they buy in order to get them up-and-running as a fully-working grow operation. However, the company does not have any direct contact with the cannabis products that will be in the property once it is complete.

By including robotics and the latest technological advances in the facility, they are also helping workers to learn cutting-edge, industry-leading skills that will help them further their careers. This is a much-appreciated boost for the town, which has been floundering since before the turn of the century. “Pueblo’s unemployment rate over the past 10 years and the growth of cannabis is a positive to the local economy,” Thompson explained. “The Doyen facility will have high-tech equipment engaged in every step of the process; high-tech, green construction methods will be used to control the environment and reduce energy consumption; Computers will be used for fertilization, watering and lightening; even robotics are expected to be used to improve harvests and quality controls.”

The grow facility is expected to open sometime in 2018, and people in the town are already inquiring about jobs. The new facility will provide medical cannabis for the area and will help revitalize the economy of a struggling town. Expect to see more news regarding the new warehouse from Pueblo soon, as well as from other areas where companies like Doyen are building and growing.