[PRESS RELEASE] – STRATFORD, Conn., April 21, 2025 – Shangri-La Dispensaries’ new state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facilities in Connecticut will add significant production capacity for the company’s national retail growth. 

The 40,000-square-foot cultivation plant in Stratford is designed to produce 1,000 pounds of finished, trimmed flower monthly and employ 80 workers to run the cultivation, processing, compliance, packaging and administrative operations. Production is scheduled to begin this summer and will quickly reach maximum capacity. Additionally, the new 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Waterbury will process the trimmed flower into finished consumer products in all categories.

“We’ve invested close to $25 million in the most cutting-edge cultivation and manufacturing technology to provide needed product to fuel our national growth,” Shangri-La CEO Nevil Patel said. “We’re thrilled to build and operate these new facilities in Connecticut, where we’ll add 100 new employees to our growing presence in the state.”

Premium Cultivation Technology

Twenty thousand square feet of the plant will be dedicated to cultivating premium cannabis plants. The remaining 50% is reserved for post-harvest processing, including three high-capacity dry rooms, dedicated curing and vault rooms, and several manufacturing rooms.

All cultivation rooms are outfitted with Next G3N double-tiered racking systems to fully utilize vertical space, increasing the total canopy footprint to 25,000 square feet. Each tier has under-canopy airflow systems to ensure consistent temperature and humidity across the plant canopy. Access to the upper level is seamless, thanks to a full-length mezzanine system for easy movement and maintenance.

Maintaining ideal environmental conditions is critical to maximizing plant health and yield. That’s why Shangri-La is investing in Desert Aire RTU systems for industry-grade dehumidification and climate control. These systems will allow staff to maintain tight control of environmental parameters regardless of seasonal or external weather variations.

High-performance LED fixtures, chosen for their efficiency and intensity, will provide lighting. These lights are perfectly calibrated to work with the supplemental CO₂ system, ensuring optimal photosynthetic efficiency to push plant genetics to their full potential.

Rhythm Control System, a next-generation platform, will give staff granular control over every element of the grow environment. It will allow them to precisely set and adjust environmental parameters weekly, tailor lighting, humidity and temperature to each cultivar’s ideal conditions, and control and automate irrigation, fertigation and crop steering strategies.

All cultivation rooms will be fully sealed and feature washable floors, walls, and ceilings for maximum cleanliness and compliance. It will use HEPA-grade filtration systems and Reactive Oxygen Species air purification, dramatically reducing airborne contaminants and promoting a clean, pathogen-free environment. To maintain genetic integrity and plant health from day one, all plants are started from tissue culture, ensuring the cultivars are pathogen-free and uniform.

“As a multistate operator (MSO) with a track record of success in multiple markets, Shangri-La brings a wealth of knowledge and refined SOPs to every aspect of our operation,” Shangri-La President Dr. Kepal Patel said. “Our cultivation and extraction teams are led by seasoned professionals who understand how to maximize the potential of each strain, whether it’s a boutique flower cut or a high-resin cultivar intended for live resin extraction.”

Manufacturing Exclusive New Brands

Shangri-La has also launched a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Waterbury, Conn., where the new flower will be processed. This dual-licensed site—approved for both cannabis product manufacturing and food and beverage production—was designed to support a wide range of capabilities under one roof.

The facility will house hydrocarbon extraction, solventless extraction, distillation, vape production, gummies production, a commercial kitchen, fulfillment and distribution operations, as well as non-THC storage. Hydrocarbon and distillation labs are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, with a weekly processing capacity of 600 pounds of biomass and 50 liters of oil, respectively. These capabilities will enable Shangri-La to maintain a consistent supply of concentrate, supporting a wide array of infused products across its brand portfolio.

Currently, the commercial kitchen is producing up to 150,000 confectionery units per week, with plans to scale rapidly. It will support multiple product lines, including gummies for the exclusive Borealis and Asteroid brands. With high-clearance ceilings and a layout designed for industrial scalability, the space is ready to accommodate automated packaging systems and beverage line integration in the future.

The manufactured products will be branded under the Borealis and Asteroid brands, which will represent a significant milestone for Shangri-La’s product expansion in the country. The facility also presents a valuable opportunity for cultivators and brand operators seeking a trusted partner for material processing and high-volume packaging.

Shangri-La is actively seeking white-label partnerships and collaborations with multistate operators looking to enter the Connecticut market. With robust infrastructure, significant production capacity and a flexible licensing framework, the Waterbury facility offers a strategic launchpad for brands aiming to establish or expand their presence in the Northeast.