A light manufacturing assembly plant planned on farmland north of Kalispell is the next local project in line for entrepreneur Ray Thompson.

Thompson Farms LLC has applied to the Flathead County Planning Office for a zone change from agricultural to industrial zoning on about 50 acres of a 250-acre holding of the limited liability company that’s currently being farmed.

The application notes Thompson wants to start a new light manufacturing company that would employ up to 100 people. The new venture will be located a quarter-mile east of Whitefish Stage and a half-mile south of Rose Crossing.

Dave Jolly, Thompson’s representative for the project, said it would involve light assembly in the semiconductor industry, similar to the assembly done at Applied Materials.

Thompson founded Semitool 34 years ago and later moved it near the intersection of West Reserve Drive and Whitefish Stage Road. He grew the business into a leader in the semiconductor industry before selling to Applied Materials for $364 million in 2009.

In the deal, Semitool became a business unit of Applied Materials.

Thompson’s proposed new facility would be serviced with a water main extension from the Evergreen Water District. An onsite sewer is proposed, the application said.

“It won’t infringe on neighboring properties’ rights as it is buffered by the applicant’s own property,” planning paperwork noted.

Just like Applied Materials, the surrounding farmland would be maintained in agricultural production.

A public hearing is planned at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, before the Flathead County Planning Board, which will consider an amendment to the growth policy map and a zone change within the Evergreen zoning district.