Kentucky’s bourbon industry continues to reach new heights. Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen joined company officials and local leaders to break ground on a significant expansion at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg. The company also announced a second expansion of its warehouse facilities in Bullitt County.
Four Roses plans to invest $34 million to add two new buildings and new equipment in Anderson County, which will double the size of the distillery and annual production. The investment, which will be completed in 2018, also will create 15 new jobs.
To store the increased production, Four Roses will create five additional jobs and invest $21 million to build four new warehouses at the company’s Warehouse and Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek. The new warehouses will be operational by 2022.
“This is another win for our signature bourbon industry and for all of Kentucky,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “To see Four Roses double its production and plan expansions at two locations is further proof that bourbon is more popular than ever. We expect the world’s taste for Kentucky’s native spirit will remain strong for years to come.”
“Four Roses is one of Kentucky’s most iconic brands,” said Lt. Gov. Luallen. “This expansion will allow the company to meet growing global demand while still continuing to produce the quality bourbon it’s been known for since the 1800s. I want to congratulate Four Roses on its new level of success.”
The announcement comes just a few months after Four Roses unveiled plans to build a new facility in Bullitt County. The 60,000-square-foot operation will contain two bottling lines, bottling support areas and office space. Four Roses expects that facility to be up and running by the spring of 2018.
“Four Roses is extremely pleased to answer the call of our consumers with this overall expansion of our production facilities,” said John Rhea, Four Roses’ chief operating officer. “When people think of Four Roses Bourbon, they think of quality. Our first requirement with this expansion was to maintain those same high standards; anything less would have been unacceptable.”
He added, “We are certainly grateful to the state, Anderson County and Bullitt County for their support and cooperation to make this project happen. We want to personally thank Gov. Beshear, Lt. Governor Luallen, County Judges-Executive Orbrey Gritton and Melanie Roberts and Mayor Sandy Goodlett for their efforts and support. We would especially like to thank our employees and the two communities they represent for their hard work and support to make Four Roses Bourbon the popular brand it has become. Lastly, we sincerely appreciate the tremendous support and loyalty of Four Roses fans/consumers everywhere that have generated our fantastic growth.”
Established in 1888, Four Roses is the only bourbon distillery that combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to handcraft and age 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Bullitt County, respectively, Four Roses is dedicated to producing award-winning bourbons with smooth and mellow tastes and finishes. Four Roses Bourbon is available in all 50 states.
“The expansion at Four Roses is good news for our region,” said Sen. Julian Carroll, of Frankfort. “This investment, which is a reflection of our skilled and dedicated workforce, will parlay into new jobs and a boost to the economy. Four Roses continues to be a good corporate partner and I look forward to the industry’s success well into the future.”
“Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry has seen tremendous growth in demand nationally and internationally over the past several years,” said Rep. James Tipton, of Taylorsville. “That has helped boost our economy and provided more jobs for our Commonwealth, and I’m pleased that Four Roses will expand their operations in Anderson and Bullitt counties.”
“This announcement represents another major step forward for the bourbon industry, and I’m proud to see the investment being made in our region, especially Bullitt County,” said Rep. Linda Belcher, of Shepherdsville. “I want to thank the company for taking this step and appreciate the new jobs this will provide. This is a great day for our community and all of Kentucky.”
“On behalf of the citizens of Lawrenceburg, I am pleased we are working with County Judge-Executive Orbrey Gritton, the Anderson County Economic Development Authority, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Bluegrass Area Development District in support of the expansion of production at Four Roses Distillery,” said Lawrenceburg Mayor Robert “Sandy” Goodlett. “This project will be good for the economic growth of the city and county through an expanded workforce while enhancing the awareness of the positive economic climate of the community.”
“Our community is very fortunate to have a great company like Four Roses Distillery contribute to our economic growth,” said Anderson County Judge-Executive Orbrey Gritton. “It is exciting to have one of our own distilleries choose to expand this historic industry, and it shows their commitment to economic development and workforce opportunities for Anderson County. The investment that this facility will bring to our community is significant.”
“Four Roses has been an excellent corporate citizen in Bullitt County for many years, and we are excited about their growth and look forward to continue working with them in providing economic prosperity in our region,” said Bullitt County Judge-Executive Melanie Roberts.
To encourage the investment and job creation, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $350,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program for the Anderson County project. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
KEDFA also approved the Anderson County project for tax incentives up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act and $500,000 for the project in Bullitt County. The program allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing equipment.
For more information on Four Roses Bourbon, visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com.
A detailed community profile for Bullitt County can be viewed here.
A detailed community profile for Anderson County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.
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