Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently joined local officials from Garrard County and leaders from Bluegrass Bottling, a Kentucky-based, woman-owned business, to break ground on the company’s new Lancaster bottling facility, which will create 27 new full-time positions with a $6.25 million investment.
“I’m excited to see so many existing bourbon-related businesses growing and expanding in the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “To have a Kentucky woman-owned business like Bluegrass Bottling expanding is a big win for the state. This is truly a fantastic project for Garrard County and the surrounding region.”
In August 2022, Bluegrass Bottling announced a 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 will also more than double the company’s storage space to a total of 49,000 square feet.
Bluegrass Bottling operates in both Garrard and Lincoln counties, currently employing around 20 people in the commonwealth and will retain its employment base from its current bottling facility in Lincoln County, where the company will maintain a distribution presence.
“We could not be more proud and excited to be a part of Kentucky’s bourbon industry,” said Lisa Strevels, owner of Bluegrass Bottling. “This investment is vital to our company’s continued growth in the commonwealth, and we look forward to expanding our presence in Lancaster.”
Bluegrass Bottling’s services include blending, proofing, brand development, labeling, private labeling, specialized packaging and designing of spirits brands. Established in 2020, the company provides resources that allow distilleries, small-craft distillers and bourbon enthusiasts to market their products and reach their full potential.
The project 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 80 new-location or expansion projects totaling over $3.1 billion in planned investments and creating more than 1,400 announced full-time jobs for Kentuckians.
Garrard County Judge/Executive Chris T. Elleman thanked the leadership at Bluegrass Bottling for their commitment to the community.
“I would like to thank Bluegrass Bottling for choosing Garrard County as their home to expand and grow their business,” said Judge Elleman. “Lisa and Chris Strevels, the community of Garrard County cannot thank you enough for bringing your business back home. We look forward to working with you all and being part of your growth. The future is bright for Garrard County, and this is a step in the right direction.”
Lancaster Mayor Michael Gaffney showed the city’s excitement for growth and the partnership with Bluegrass Bottling.
“The Mayor’s Office, along with the City Council, are extremely excited about Bluegrass Bottling coming to Garrard County,” said Mayor Gaffney. “We look forward to them being a part of our community and the economic development that it is going to bring. We can’t wait to see what they are able to accomplish over the coming months and years as we grow our partnership to help drive growth and development of Lancaster and Garrard County.”
Lancaster/Garrard County Industrial Development Authority Chairperson David Land spoke on the job opportunities Bluegrass Bottling is bringing to Garrard County.
“The Lancaster/Garrard County Industrial Development Authority is excited to welcome Bluegrass Bottling to Garrard County and our business community,” said Land. “We are grateful to see companies such as this choose to locate here. We believe that they have a lot to add to the community through job opportunities, tourism and feel that they will be an overall asset to the community. These folks have chosen to bring their business back home, and we are pleased to welcome them and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”
Bluegrass Bottling’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.