ELIOT, Maine — "The world works in mysterious ways," said Sweet Dirt owner Hughes Pope as he stood at the site of the state's soon-to-be largest cannabis greenhouse. Seven months ago, it was the scene of a devastating fire that jeopardized the company's future.

The state-licensed medicinal marijuana grow facility and caregiver business broke ground Tuesday on a state-of-the-art 32,800-square-foot, extreme-light deprivation greenhouse at 495 Harold Dow Highway — Sweet Dirt's current headquarters. In the endeavor, Sweet Dirt has partnered with ArchSolar, a national provider of environmentally sustainable greenhouses.

The ruined structure consumed by the two-alarm blaze in June was demolished at the end of September, and the business has since been plotting its way to return as a "strong economic engine" for both the town of Eliot and state of Maine.

CEO Jim Henry said while the June 10 fire was "devastating" and a "very, very difficult night," he instead focuses on the community support over the last seven months, and the resiliency of his team.

"I have such a full heart because of all of the hard work we have done to get to this point," Henry said.

Husband and wife Hughes and Kristin Pope founded Sweet Dirt in 2015, and Tuesday marked a "dream come true," said Hughes. It was not long ago they stood in tears watching more than six fire departments attempt to save their livelihood. Luckily, no one was injured that night. 

At the time, Sgt. Ken Grimes of the state fire marshal's office said the fire appeared to have started high in the building, and the cause was listed as undetermined due to extensive damage.

"All of the obstacles have been amazing opportunities," Hughes Pope said.

Sweet Dirt's focus is on the creation of its proprietary soils and small-batch gardening practices, which have earned it certification from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, achieved by less than 1% of all licensed cannabis growers in Maine. Employees, contractors and partners span cultivation, distribution, retail, administration, legal, compliance, IT, security and finance. 

Tony Kieffer, president of ArchSolar, based in Portland, said his business was started to address the intersection of agriculture and energy, and to expand year-round growing opportunities, so he was "tickled" to be partnering with Sweet Dirt.

Kieffer said the greenhouse will feature five bays — one for the head house and production, and four for growing.

"This is a complex vessel being built here," he said, calling the scale of the site "remarkable."

Optimized for harsh climates, the greenhouse will feature exceptional thermal performance, best-in-class snow and wind load capacity, an automated louvered intake and exhaust system, and an automated light-deprivation (shade) system. Sweet Dirt officials said the ability to leverage natural light to reduce electrical usage was a large part of the business' decision to partner with ArchSolar.

The partnership, Hughes Pope said, will "allow us to deliver year-round, sun-kissed, organically grown artisanal cannabis to the Maine market."

In November, Eliot voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance and licensing procedure allowing for adult use cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and retail operations. State Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, said Sweet Dirt will "put Eliot on the map" with its momentous greenhouse construction.

"I am proud that this group is growing this business in our town," Meyer said. "A business with an innovative, responsible, resilient, environmentally conscious approach."

Meyer called the growing cannabis industry an "important, new component of Maine's economy."

While Maine voters approved legal adult recreational marijuana use in 2016 it has yet to complete its regulatory process. State officials late last year expected to have licensing in place to allow recreational sales by March but that time frame remains uncertain.