The collaboration between government and private companies was on full display Friday with the groundbreaking for a new distillery and tasting room for the Traverse City Whiskey Company. It is a project that should create 100 jobs and bring the region 20 million dollars.
That’s withup to a year, but the beginning of the next phase for TC Whiskey has begun with a new distillery in Leelanau County.
“The craft distillery industry is growing and is good for local development in cities and often brings people into the community,” said Senator Gary Peters.
TC Whiskey only started eight years ago and this will be their third facility. When completed, it will be 70,000 square feet complete with a visitor center and tasting room.
“They are starting to go national. You see this product, not just locally in the Traverse City area, but across the country,” said Senator Peters. “It just means more jobs and more economic development here in the area.”
FReferring to Peters and Deputy Governor Garlin Gilchrist, TCWC owners highlighted the support and cooperation provided by the government. From a $750,000 state grant to changes in the tax code to even help them get off the ground.
“The tax structure is really designed for some very large distilleries,” Peters said. “It’s really hard to start a new distillery.”
While major business investments are being announced across the state, Lt. Governor Gilchrist says these smaller investments are worth every penny.
“All these investments are gains,” Gilchrist said. “They’re a win for the communities because creating one new job, I think that’s a win.”
That has been a major focus of the Whitmer administration and will be a key focus in next week’s State of the Union address, economic development.
“It’s a good example of working with government, working with regulators to enable your vision,” Gilchrist said. “That’s what we want to do as a board.”
Perhaps the biggest impact on rural business in Michigan won’t be business support or a change in the tax code, but the rollout of broadband. It is a lofty goal that the administration is focusing on in the second mandate.
“The $250 million investment we’ve committed to building the kind of infrastructure we need for the Internet,” Gilchrist said. “To more homes, to more businesses, to more farms, to more families. Michigan will be the first major state to connect all of our people online within the next four years.”