KY: Eastern Light Distilling Creating 50 Full-Time Jobs With New $143.7 Million Venue in Morehead

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recognized new growth in Kentucky’s signature bourbon and spirits industry with Eastern Light Distilling, an Eastern Kentucky-based distilling company investing $143.7 million in a new venue located in Rowan County, expected to create at least 50 new jobs in the area in the coming years.

“Our signature bourbon industry is making its way into Eastern Kentucky with an exciting new company, Eastern Light Distilling,” said Gov. Beshear. “This new distilling operation will not only help foster growth in our craft bourbon industry but will also bring more than $143 million in new economic development investment, well-paying jobs and another great reason for tourists to visit the region. This is the kind of homegrown company that makes Kentucky and our signature bourbon industry so special.” 

Eastern Light Distilling is introducing an innovative new concept that will grow the state’s signature bourbon industry in Eastern Kentucky while supporting craft bourbon makers as a custom contract distiller. The locally owned venture is led by Kentucky bourbon industry veterans, including Chief Executive Officer Cordell Lawrence and Caleb Kilburn, an internationally recognized master distiller.

“Eastern Light is the culmination of a lifelong dream to see our state’s signature bourbon industry in my home of Eastern Kentucky,” Kilburn said.

The project also represents a major success for the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, as the Rowan County site was approved for nearly $600,000 in state support earlier this year. 

Eastern Light’s planned project builds on recent bourbon and spirits growth across Kentucky. Since the start of the Beshear administration, the commonwealth’s spirits industry has seen roughly 85 new-location or expansion projects totaling over $3 billion in planned investments and creating more than 1,500 announced full-time jobs. Last year represented the best year on record for growth of Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits industry, with $2.1 billion in new investments expected to create 700 full-time jobs.

Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark mentioned the planning that went into the Eastern Light Distilling project: “I couldn’t be more pleased to see this development finally get underway here in Rowan County. The work leading to today’s announcement spans years of careful planning and significant commitment from both public and private partners. None of it would have been possible were it not for our forward-thinking Governor and legislators when they allocated the Kentucky Product Development Initiative funding to all 120 counties. The program has offered unique opportunities for counties like ours to market and make ready sites for economic development on a local level because we know best what we have to offer in our community. We expect Eastern Light Distilling’s announcement today will have an extensive positive impact on this county regarding tourism and economic development, and I believe that this investment speaks volumes to the quality of workforce and expansive capabilities we can bring to the table here in Rowan County.”

Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development President and CEO Jason Slone spoke on the economic impact of the project: “This is truly a special day for Morehead and Rowan County by having the commonwealth’s signature industry and Eastern Light Distilling become a part of our community. Our community has always been known as the hardwoods manufacturing capital of the world, including the manufacturing of staves and barrels for the industry, and today’s announcement with Eastern Light Distilling is bringing that longstanding vision full circle as the state’s signature industry heads east. This investment in our community is a direct result of investments made possible through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative program to generate immediate economic development opportunities that allow us to compete and grow our manufacturing and tourism sectors into the future, ensuring high-wage jobs for future generations.”

Eastern Light’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.