Businessmen want to win contest, make splash in Buffalo
Two Western New York men are hoping to make a big splash in the world of organic fish farming. YNN's Kevin Jolly talked with the two entrepreneurs about their business plan to start an eco-friendly fishery right in the City of Buffalo.
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EAST AURORA, N.Y. -- John Carducci, 22, and his business partner 23-year-old Garrett Eimiller have tested the waters. They believe the timing is right to open an organic fishery. It’s called Let-us Fish Farms.
"Let-us Fish Farms is a greenhouse based farm business that would be raising fish and produce. We will be operating year round in the Buffalo area in order to provide fresh produce throughout the year," said Eimiller.
Eimiller stumbled upon the idea as a student at Syracuse University. Now, after teaming up with his high school friend Carducci, he thinks it's an idea that could benefit the entire region.
"Because of the harsh climate in the winters in the northeastern United States we found it was necessary to try to produce organic fish and produce year round. With traditional farming you can't do that in the winter, the climate just doesn't allow it. By doing that, we wouldn't have to ship in foods from other states or out of the country," said Carducci.
But before their dream of owning an organic fishery comes true, the friends are going to need a lot of luck and a lot of capital. That's why they're participating in an online contest sponsored by Pepsi called "Pepsi Refresh" that grants thousands of dollars to Eco-friendly businesses.
"We're currently competing for a 50-thousand dollar grant in order to start operations in the Buffalo area," said Eimiller.
But that money will go only to the top 10 vote getters. Let -us Fish is currently in 52nd place. Still, Carducci and Eimiller aren't giving up. They believe their idea is just one small piece of the puzzle that could help put western New York back on its feet.
"Its going to produce jobs for Buffalo, it’s going to produce locally grown fish and produce, it’s going to be keeping the money in Buffalo, and bringing something to possibly help stimulate the economy," said Carducci.