The Apalachee Regional Planning Council hopes to attract an industrial hemp processing plant to Florida's Big Bend. The council's Melissa Franklin says the nearest processing plant for the state's northwestern hemp farmers is more than three hours away.
"Having a processor within range of the farmers—it's an essential component. If you can't process the crop once it's been harvested, then it's dead in the water," Franklin says.
Franklin says bringing a plant closer to the region will help strengthen the local industry's supply chain.