DALEVILLE (WSLS 10) -Â Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits, the 11th largest craft brewer in the United States in 2015, will invest $47.8 million to establish an East Coast brewing operation in Botetourt County.
The company will buy the 259,040-square-foot Lawrence Companies building, located on International Parkway in Botetourt Center at Greenfield, which will create 178 jobs in manufacturing and retail operations.
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The average wage for the 133 brewery jobs will be $41,075 per year. The 45 hospitality and retail jobs will pay $25,607 per year.
Economic impact modeling (IMPLAN) by the Roanoke Regional Partnership estimates this project will have an overall annual economic impact of $376,442,866 and spur creation of more than 540 secondary jobs. The impact will extend across the region.
The San Diego-based company was started in 1996 by a small group of home brewers. Today, it's is one of the fastest-growing craft beer companies in the United States and a recognized innovator in craft brewing and spirits. Ballast Point employs more than 500 at four facilities in the San Diego, Calif., area and sells its beer in more than 30 states. It operates as a stand-alone company after its acquisition in 2015 by Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B).
"In our quest to provide the best quality, freshest beer to all of our customers, an East Coast brewery started to make a lot of sense to us," said Ballast Point founder Jack White. "We are excited by the opportunity we see in Botetourt County, and we're looking forward to getting to know the local community as we get established there."
"Winning this significant project was a top priority, and we are proud that Botetourt County will be home to the company's East Coast brewing operation. Virginia has truly become a leader in the industry and a destination for craft beer lovers. Today is another milestone of our ongoing success in diversifying and building a new Virginia economy, and we look forward to Ballast Point thriving in the Commonwealth," said Governor Terry McAuliffe in a press release.
Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, said the organization called on the company more than a year ago as part of a campaign to attract craft brewers. "The company was able to move quickly because we matched them with an available building and all the infrastructure to help meet their requirements."
"Attracting Ballast Point is a fantastic way of adding employment opportunities in Botetourt County with an industry leader creating a destination location," said Joyce Kessinger, chair of the Botetourt County Economic Development Authority. "We see this project as key to our goal of attracting young people to live, work and play in Botetourt."
Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $2.4 million grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt County with the project. The company will also be eligible to receive a $250,000 grant from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID), administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Funding and services to support the company's employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
The county will provide $1,402,177 in tax incentives along with performance grants anticipated at $650,000, a potential AFID grant of $250,000, and permit fee waivers.