Bluegrass Bottling LLC, a Kentucky based, woman-owned business, will construct a new bottling facility in Lancaster with a $6.25 million investment that will create 27 full-time jobs for Kentucky residents.
“I could not be happier to see so many existing bourbon-related businesses growing in the commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “This is truly a great project for Garrard County and the surrounding region. I look forward to this new bottling plant opening next spring and hope to see Bluegrass Bottling continue to grow into new markets in the years ahead.”
Bluegrass Bottling operates in Garrard and Lincoln counties, currently employing 14 people in the commonwealth. Company leaders will construct a new 50,000-square-foot bottling facility on a 98-acre site at 51 Poor Ridge Pike in Lancaster, where the company will operate under the name Poor Ridge Distillery. The project also will more than double the company’s storage space to a total of 49,000 square feet. Bluegrass Bottling will retain its employment base from its current bottling facility in neighboring Lincoln County, where the company will maintain a distribution presence. Construction is expected to begin next month with completion slated for March 2023.
“We could not be more excited and proud to be a part of Kentucky’s bourbon industry,” said Lisa Strevels, owner of Bluegrass Bottling. “This investment will be vital to our company’s continued growth in the commonwealth, and we look forward to expanding our presence in Lancaster.”
Established in 2020, Bluegrass Bottling’s services include blending, proofing, brand development, labeling, private labeling, specialized packaging and designing of spirits brands. The company provides resources that allow distilleries, small-craft distillers and bourbon enthusiasts to market their products and reach their full potential.
Bluegrass Bottling’s investment builds on recent bourbon and spirits growth across Kentucky. Since the start of the Beshear administration, the commonwealth’s spirits industry has announced more than 50 new-location or expansion projects totaling over $1.1 billion in planned investments and creating more than 900 announced full-time jobs. Currently, approximately 60 spirits facilities directly employ more than 5,300 people.
Kentucky’s bourbon sector is a nearly $9 billion signature industry, generating more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll exceeding $1.23 billion. Gov. Beshear also worked with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to remove harmful bourbon tariffs on trade with the United Kingdom and European Union, ensuring continuing strength in the export market.
Garrard County Judge/Executive John Wilson is eager to see the company’s growth in the community.
“On behalf of Garrard County, we are proud to welcome Bluegrass Bottling to our community and are excited to be a part of their growth in this region,” Judge Wilson said.
Lancaster Mayor Marshall Norton said the community welcomes the investment and job creation.
“We’re glad as a city and county to have Bluegrass Bottling locate this new facility here,” Mayor Norton said. “We need the industry, and we look forward to working with them and assisting them however we can.”
David Land, chair of the Lancaster/Garrard County Industrial Development Authority, looks forward to the company’s continued growth.
“On behalf of the Lancaster/Garrard County Industrial Development Authority, we welcome Bluegrass Bottling to our community,” Land said. “We know that Bluegrass Bottling will be a great development for our community, and we look forward to them growing and prospering here in our county.”
For more information on Bluegrass Bottling, visit BluegrassBottling.com.
A detailed community profile for Garrard County can be viewed here.