VA: Prince William Board Grants $250K for MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, Will Help Create 40+ New Jobs

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved a matching $250,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund (EDOF) grant for MurLarkey® Distilled Spirits relocation to the expanded Farm Brew LIVE campus in Innovation Park.  

MurLarkey is a certified craft distillery that produces premium, award-winning spirits, carefully crafted and distilled using the finest ingredients in a traditional, small-batch, artisanal manner.

The grant supports $8.1 million in capital investment and more than 40 new “agritourism” jobs in the county. Originally announced by Governor Youngkin’s office in August 2022, MurLarkey was the first Prince William County recipient of an Agricultural and Forestry Industries Development Grant (AFID), which matches the EDOF for a total of $500,000. 

"Today marks another enormous milestone for MurLarkey, our partners at Villagio Hospitality Group, and our collaboration with Prince William County," said Tom Murray, co-founder and CEO. "As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we will be toasting the success of the next several decades to come."

MurLarkey’s grant comes on the heels of the county’s land sale to Villagio, which expanded the campus by nearly six acres. 

"This grant recognizes not only the talented tastemakers at MurLarkey, but also the community leaders who paused their production during the COVID pandemic to help produce in-demand hand sanitizer," said Ann Wheeler, Chair, BOCS. "We are lucky to have dedicated crafts people who stand together with our community."

The new MurLarkey facility includes the lease of a 25,000-square-foot building on the grounds of Farm Brew LIVE for an expanded distillery, rickhouse, tasting room, and restaurant.

“I am proud to support the expansion of MurLarkey to the Farm Brew LIVE campus. This adds an exciting twist to an already unique venue,” said Jeanine Lawson, Supervisor, Brentsville District. “Supporting MurLarkey supports agriculture across the state as they use only Virginia grown corn, rye and barley to produce their spirits.”