Over the next four years, Post Harvest Technologies (PHT), owner of GIC Salinas Campus, and its investment partners are planning to build the most technologically advanced pre-cooling and cold storage facility in the nation on its current 28-acre campus in the heart of Salinas. The 400,000-square-foot facility will have dedicated space for the handling of organic produce.

CEO Jim White recently described the four-year timeline for construction of the $250 million infrastructure project designed to support Salinas Valley agriculture and noted that the leasing team is currently open for business, allowing grower-shippers to sign agreements securing space within the commercial cooling operation.

Jim White, CEO, GIC Salinas Campus

“It will remain a commercial cooler,” White said. “We will lease space to grower-shippers, but we are planning on handling cooling and storage on a commercial basis.”

Grower-shippers will be able to concentrate their business capital on what they do best and leave the cooling and storage to PHT. White, however, was quick to point out that not all companies operate in the same fashion, and PHT is committed to collaborating individually with each potential tenant to craft an agreement that works for all concerned.

“I’m a firm believer that one shoe doesn’t fit all feet,” he said. “What works best for you is what we will try to achieve.”

Grower-shippers will be able to concentrate their business capital on what they do best and leave the cooling and storage to PHT.

The redevelopment of the GIC Campus is a project that has been in the works for four years and has about four more years to go. Since January 2020, the principals have been working on the economics and the structure of the deal. With that aspect accomplished, the next two years will involve going through the entitlements with the city of Salinas and other entities. One of the big efforts in that regard is finding suitable space for current tenants. White said that project is ongoing with every expectation that accommodations will be made soon.

The veteran business executive anticipates demolition of the current campus will begin in November 2023, and it is expected to take about six months to complete. “I believe we will get it done in about 175 days,” he said. “It’s a very big job.”

“I’m a firm believer that one shoe doesn’t fit all feet. What works best for you [the tenant] is what we will try to achieve.” – Jim White

Construction is expected to begin in June of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025. “We believe it is realistic to expect that we can open for business in January 2026 and be ready for the start of the Salinas season in the spring,” White said.

Right now is the perfect time for grower-shippers to sit down with PHT leasing representatives and do long-range planning, White said. That will give PHT the opportunity to plan for the occupancy of the campus, and it will give the shippers certainty about how they can manage their cooling and storage needs as they plan for their own growth.

There are about 4.2 million square feet of cooling space within about 100 miles of Salinas, according to White. While the space is controlled privately and devoted to specific grower-shipper operations, he noted some space within these existing cooling facilities is utilized by outside growers. The one thing most of these coolers have in common is that they are at least 40 years old.

Right now is the perfect time for grower-shippers to sit down with the PHT leasing representatives and do long-range planning.

The GIC Salinas Campus will be state-of-the-art and far superior to any cooler that exists in the Salinas Valley today, White said, adding that there will also be about 32,000 square feet of office space available for lease.

During the design phase, White said every effort has been made to ensure that the project is environmentally friendly and sustainable. “Every inch that can will be utilized for alternative power. We will have solar, micro-grids, and a cogeneration plant. Power in California is an issue, and we are going to solve for that.”

Concerning the play for organic product, White is aware of the segregation rules involved in maintaining a certifiable organic supply chain and said both dedicated pre-cool and cooler space will be available to provide this service to organic producers.

“Every inch that can will be utilized for alternative power. We will have solar, micro-grids, and a cogeneration plant. Power in California is an issue, and we are going to solve for that.” – Jim White

Speaking to the advancements that the GIC Campus will incorporate, its website says, “GIC Salinas Campus will be the only facility of its kind to leverage renewable energy, automation, intelligent temperature monitoring, solar-lined shade bay, and enhanced truck flow. Our design will ensure that the cold chain is never broken, prioritizing food safety, extending shelf life, and significantly improving product quality.”