Business tries aquaculture in Ohio

Ohio may not be synonymous with seafood, but that doesn’t mean one business isn’t trying. The Columbus Dispatch recently wrote about a shrimp farmer in the Buckeye State who is filling an unusual niche for this part of the country. According to the source, Ashtyn Chen is using technology to keep his shrimp thriving while he meets a need for seafood that doesn’t come with mysterious origins.

The source said that this type of saltwater shrimp farm is relatively new to the state, representing a possible opportunity. The Dispatch spoke to aquaculture expert Matthew Smith, who described why this concept is getting so much attention from locals.

“Everyone’s pretty familiar with the freshwater prawns, and it’s a very captivating thing because they are grown here,” Smith told the source. “But I think the saltwater hits home even more because Americans do consume so much shrimp.” Referring to customer need for local goods, Smith said, “They want food grown locally, they know the farmer who grows it, they know the county it’s grown in.”

Local shrimp represents a possible novel business idea for Ohio.

To raise shrimp successfully, enterprising farmers may need new equipment to get their venture started. Politico recently reported that the White House Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing a set of organic aquaculture standards that could set a historic precedent.

While this sort of venture could be innovative in Ohio, it could also be a demanding one, requiring extra resources that some small-business owners simply don’t have. Growth Capital gives owners assistance for finding government grants for small business purposes. When it comes to equipment, buildings, and other concerns, financing can be a tricky thing to master. Contact us to find out what resources are out there and what you need to succeed.