Vertical farming startup shuts down metro Atlanta operations

A vertical farming startup that raised millions of dollars and promised a significant investment in Georgia is shutting down after a potential acquisition fell apart.

Ohio-based 80 Acres Farms has closed its facility south of Atlanta in Forest Park, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state. The closure affects 110 workers, including farm supervisors, technicians and packers.

Other WARN notices have been filed in states including Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, Colorado, Virginia and Washington.

“After an exhaustive effort to find a way forward, 80 Acres Farms is winding down operations,” Mike Zelkind, CEO and co-founder of 80 Acres, said in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.