Hemp extractor and refiner Shyne Labs recently commenced operations at its new $9 million hemp processing plant in Simpson County, KY, according to a release issued Tuesday by the office of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Founded in California in 2019, the company oved to a 12,400-sq-ft facility in the Wiley North Industrial Park in Franklin, KY this year. Production started at the site this April. 

“We want to work with farmers from the local region who need their hemp processed, especially those who plan on growing again this year,” the firm’s co-owner and COO, Jon Miller, said in a statement. “We see this as a long-term opportunity, and we are looking forward to building relationships with people in the industry for the foreseeable future.”

Shyne Labs’ plant is capable of processing up to 18,000 lb/day of hemp, which is used to produce pure CBD isolate powder, CBD oil, and water-soluble CBD for food and beverage applications.

“We understand that many in the industry have been misled and disenfranchised by other hemp processing facilities, and we are going to strive to do better,” said Miller. “We provide transparency on production, expectations and pricing. The CBD industry is still young and volatile, but we see massive growth happening within the next few years.”

20 workers currently staff the Franklin facility, but the company said it plans to fill 60 full-time jobs in the next few months.