Local Businesses Likely To Have Hand In Indoor Pot-Growing Site

The Berkshire Eagle   reports the man behind a proposed indoor marijuana cultivation facility on Howland Avenue hopes to have the business up and running by early next year.

And it appears that local suppliers and contractors will be a big part of the team working to open the facility.

Art Babayan, the principal in LC Square LLC based in Natick, said the project received its provisional license from the state Cannabis Control Commission in mid-June. With that in hand, Babayan has been working on a design with Westall Architects, and town officials have been helping him connect with local contractors and suppliers to prepare for building renovations and alterations.

The structure at 173 Howland Ave. served as a mill from the early 1900s, when the original structure was built. Over the years, several additions have been made. Most recently, it served as a warehouse for storage and sale of wood pellets, and as home to Lane Construction Corp.

During a visit to the site, Babayan said the property already has been cleared of decades of gathering debris and likely will be developed in phases.

Once the design is set, Babayan hopes to have local contractors in place to start working on securing and winterizing the building with work on roofing and siding, and then move inside to complete the interior during the winter months.

He hopes to begin operations within the first six months of 2020.