The Embarc South Lake Tahoe location, by Brian Walker / Brian Walker Photography

One of the Central Valley’s cannabis hotspots will become even more fruitful with the announcement of a third dispensary in the works.

The City of Hanford announced it has awarded its remaining retail commercial cannabis permit to Embarc, which plans to build not only a weed store but also a 20,000-square-foot public market and coworking space.

The dispensary set to open next year would be the third for the Kings County town of just under 60,000 people.

The two currently operating, HerbNJoy and DELI by Caliva, generate about $1.6 million annual in taxes and fees for city coffer, according to a news release.

Embarc Hanford has also committed 1% of gross receipts to its internal community investment fund, supporting local organizations and partners.

Embarc was one of the first two dispensaries to open in Fresno back in July, though several more are planned. Embarc currently has six dispensary locations in California.

Embarc Hanford plans to redevelop an existing 3,600 square-foot building downtown at 211 East 7th St. for its retail boutique and home base for delivery services. The project’s second phase involves the redevelopment of a 20,000 square-foot building into a public market and coworking space.

Embarc Hanford purchased both buildings from lifelong Hanford resident and farmer Michael Miya, who will serve as an owner of Embarc Hanford as well as the chair of the Embarc Hanford Community Advisory Board.

“We are thrilled and honored to have partnered with multi-generational resident and community leader, Michael Miya, in bringing Embarc to Hanford,” said Embarc CEO Lauren Carpenter. “This project envisions significant reimagination of the 200 block of East 7th Street and will bring additional high-paying jobs and tax revenues to the Hanford community. We are grateful to the City for this opportunity and look forward to hitting the ground running.”

After receiving five commercial cannabis applications earlier this year, staff from several different City of Hanford departments reviewed and scored each business based on criteria including their proposed location and plans for the following: general business operations, neighborhood compatibility, air quality, labor and employment, and safety and security.

Next, Hanford’s chief of police, finance director and deputy city manager held in-person interviews with representatives of four of the businesses and scored each on an even wider set of criteria. After receiving the highest cumulative score, City Manager Mario Cifuentez officially selected Embarc as the winner of the City’s third cannabis permit.

“Embarc Hanford brings a whole new dynamic to the City’s cannabis program,” said Cifuentez. “Mr. Miya’s passion and vision for Hanford is unrivaled, and we look forward to welcoming Embarc to the east side of downtown in 2023.”

The company will hold panels, workshops and nonprofit partnership events as part of its effort to engage with the community and educate them about topics that help reduce the stigma of cannabis consumption, according to the release.

“Embarc Hanford will serve as the gold standard for compliant, safe retail cannabis while delivering tangible community benefits outside the four walls of our dispensary,” said Embarc Local Owner Michael Miya. “I look forward working hand and hand with our Community Advisory Board of trusted, local leaders to ensure the financial benefits of retail cannabis are invested in the thoughtful revitalization of East 7th Street.”