On April 19, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Commonwealth is partnering with Albemarle County and Ragged Branch Distillery by investing $250,000 to open a craft spirits production operation. Through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, the operation will source all of its grain from Virginia producers and create four new jobs in the next three years.
Governor McAuliffe approved a $17,000 grant from the AFID for the project, which will be matched with local funds from Albemarle County. Governor McAuliffe spoke on the occassion, “Ragged Branch Distillery will be an economic driver for tourism, agriculture and manufacturing in Albemarle County.”
Basil Gooden, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry also added, “Ragged Branch Distillery’s continued investment in Albemarle County represents the company’s commitment to the region and to Virginia’s grain producers, who are successfully marketing their Virginia-grown inputs to the craft beer and distilled spirit industries.”
Ragged Branch Distillery Partner Alex Toomy also affirmed the committment of the distillery to produce Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey from locally sourced crops that is sure to be a pride of the county and state for years to come. The expansion is both a milestone for Ragged Branch Distillery as well as Albemarle County. The decision to begin the new enterprise in the county will help with creating a few jobs at a time in rural areas and using experitse in local and raw materials and sources.
To learn more about Ragged Branch Distillery, please visit their website.
Author: VisitVirginia
