E-Malt.com News article: USA, KY: Country Boy Brewing to expand to Georgetown

A rapidly growing brewing company that got its start in Kentucky in 2012 has decided to expand in its home state. Gov. Steve Beshear on August 3 announced Country Boy Brewing is expanding to Georgetown, its second Kentucky location, LEX18 Lexington KY News reported on August 3.

Lexington-based Country Boy Brewing, which produces expertly brewed craft beer, will create 20 jobs and invest nearly $4.4 million into the project.

“I’m proud of the success Country Boy Brewing has enjoyed over the past three years,” said Gov. Beshear. ”I’m even more proud that the company has grown to the point that it is ready to expand and that it has elected to remain in Kentucky to do so.”

The company will be moving into a larger brew house in Georgetown with a higher fermentation capacity. With the upgrade in space, Country Boy Brewing will now be able to produce 10,000 barrels of craft beer annually. Increased production will allow the company to begin distribution in additional states.

“We are extremely excited to expand to Scott County and Georgetown,” said Daniel Harrison, co-founder of Country Boy Brewing. “I am a life-long Scott Countian, and it has always been my dream to have a facility there. We know this expansion will let us make more quality craft beer to send to other markets, but also let us create a place in Georgetown where folks can come and enjoy the taproom experience and create a real community.”

Owned by Kentucky natives, Country Boy Brewing opened for business in February 2012 with a small brew system. The company has since moved into a larger brew house in Lexington. Country Boy Brewing now distributes its core brand, Cougar Bait American blonde ale – in four states.

“We are happy to welcome Country Boy Brewing to its new home in Georgetown,” said Sen. Damon Thayer, of Georgetown. “This relocation will be successful as it will create new jobs and strengthen even further the business-friendly climate of our community.”

“We have seen business start to boom for our craft beer manufacturers,” said Rep. Ryan Quarles, of Georgetown. “It is wonderful to see a locally owned company like Country Boy Brewing expand its operations, which in turn creates more jobs and boosts the economy of Scott and surrounding counties.”

“We are so excited to welcome Country Boy Brewing to Georgetown,” said Georgetown Mayor Tom Prather. “Country Boy Brewing has grown and developed a great brand, and our community is a great place to build upon and expand that brand. They bring a ‘cool factor’ to Georgetown and our Lanes Run Business Park. We welcome Country Boy, its ownership and customers to this new venture in our growth-oriented community.”

“Scott County joins with the City of Georgetown in welcoming Country Boy Brewing to the Lanes Run Business Park,” said Scott County Judge-Executive George Lusby. “Country Boy provides another testimony that our community is a great place to do business, and our support is wholeheartedly behind their investment and new venture.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $200,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. 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.

Additionally, Country Boy Brewing was approved by KEDFA for $75,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA 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.

Country Boy Brewing also is eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.


05 August, 2015