RJ Rockers to Expand Operations; Create 10 New Jobs; Invest $2M

RJ Rockers Announces Expansion in Spartanburg County Investment expected to generate 10 new jobs RJ Rockers, Spartanburg’s only microbrewery, is expanding its operations to provide its line of high-quality beers to more customers throughout the Southeast. Along with moving its operations into the heart of Spartanburg, the company plans to invest $2 million and create 10 new jobs in the next three years. “We are pleased to move forward with our expansion plans and continue to grow our business. We have had more than a decade of success in Spartanburg, and we look forward to continued growth in the future. Spartanburg has been an excellent home for us, providing RJ Rockers with a positive business environment, a solid workforce and great market access. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said RJ Rockers President and Brewer Mark Johnsen. RJ Rockers offers six, hand-crafted beers on tap and in a bottle, with three additional blends offered for limited times. The company is moving its microbrewery and will lease the extra space to a restaurant, tap room and tapas bar in a restored building in downtown Spartanburg formerly occupied by the Salvation Army. This brings RJ Rockers back to the area where its original brewpub was located. As part of the new facility, RJ Rockers utilizes a state-of-the-art solar energy system for heating water in the beer production process. As will all breweries, RJ Rockers requires an enormous amount of hot water, and the solar energy system provides an efficient method for heating water. “RJ Rockers is an excellent example of a small business that has prospered even during these challenging economic times,” said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. “The leadership at RJ Rockers has continually invested in the Spartanburg community, and their faith in the local workforce and strength of the community should be commended.” “It is always a welcomed opportunity when we can assist not only in the creation of new jobs, but also in the retention of jobs for our citizens. Creating jobs and capital investment in Spartanburg is our core objective at the Economic Futures Group. We are pleased that an existing company such as this has chosen to expand and grow in Spartanburg,” said Ingo Angermeier, chairman of the Economic Futures Group Board of Directors. “The vision of the RJ Rockers leadership team extends their continuing commitment to the energy and potential of the central business district of the city of Spartanburg. We welcome this investment as further reaffirmation of the long term prospects of a healthy and dynamic downtown for all our citizens and guests to enjoy,” said Spartanburg Mayor Bill Barnet. RJ Rockers, founded in 1997, is Spartanburg’s first and only modern-day brewery. The company produces a line of six beers that are sold in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more information about RJ Rockers, please visit www.rjrockers.com.