Demolition and other preparatory work is to get underway soon for a massive hemp processing facility in Broome County.

Ontario-based Canopy Growth Corporation has started efforts to clean out the former Felchar Manufacturing complex on Pine Camp Drive in Kirkwood.

Canopy Growth chairman Bruce Linton said the company will seek New York state firms for design and engineering work for the new operation.

During an interview on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Linton said Canopy Growth is utilizing some former employees who had worked at the Shop Vac assembly plant to assist in site preparation.

Linton said extraction and processing equipment will be put into the 308,000-square-foot facility. Security and storage control systems also will be installed.

Construction on the facility is expected to be mostly complete early next year.

Linton said that's when permanent hiring for the site should begin. He anticipates an initial workforce of 150 people but he said he would expect more jobs to be added at the site.

The Canopy Growth website now lists some available jobs for the Binghamton area.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com