JC GREEN INC.
Growing The Future In The Past:
JC Green Inc.
I
n the world we live in, repurposing
has become a mainstay, particularly
when it comes to older properties.
Why let something sit and waste when
it could be renovated and turned
into something new and put back into
use for a new generation? That’s exactly
what Robert O’Neill stumbled upon when
looking to found JC Green, a medical
cannabis cultivation operation that is soon
to be based out of the former Leesboro
Central Pubic School in Thorndale,
Ontario. With the “itch” to dive in and the means
to do so, he began calling some consulting
firms in Toronto that were in the medical
cannabis space who advised him to check
with the municipality. Calling Kelly Elliott,
Counselor of his Ward, he was able to get
her to review a property he was looking
at, mentioning at the time that he had
always thought of using “the old school” for
something. Coincidentally, Dave Woods,
the owner of the school, was actually
looking into repurposing it for the same
reason.
Just over three years ago, Rob began
looking into the medical cannabis industry
and thought it offered tremendous
opportunities. He was beginning to regain
his health after a bad car accident and had
a bit of money to invest in the industry. From there, the metaphorical seed was
planted. Rob made a cold call to Dave,
the call went well, and they began a
collaboration. Both men came to an
agreement and mutually decided that JC
Green Inc. would be created to purchase
the land, building, and pending licence,
with Rob heading up both the corporation
and the construction project.
To understand how and why JC Green has
been successful so far is to understand the
commitment that Rob has to the work he is
doing. In his words: “I believe in hard work
and dedication. If I am going to commit to
something, it gets my full attention. Unless
there is something I can’t get out of, I am
working seven days a week until I get this
going.” That holds true for any business,
but it is especially true for the medical
marijuana cultivation business. Seeking
funding from investors means you are
personally responsible for bringing those
investors returns.
Rob believes that, to succeed, you must
have your own set of internal morals
that you cannot break. If you aren’t being
true to yourself, then what is the point
of continuing? “Integrity has gotten me
to this point,” says Rob. “I left a fantastic
career at EllisDon to strike out on my own,
but the relationships I built there have
followed me because of the respect and
integrity I showed my coworkers, clients,
and subcontractors.”
The community has been welcoming with
respect to the startup. It is expected to
bring a significant number of jobs, tax
revenue, and economic boosts to the area.
From here, it’s up to the municipalities to
decide whether that money ends up staying
local or is distributed elsewhere.
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