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Sazerac continues southern Indiana growth

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Louisiana-based Sazerac Co. has announced plans for further expansion in southern Indiana. The distillery says it will invest more than $400 million to build a new facility in Charlestown and create nearly 370 jobs by the end of 2027. The announcement comes just four months after Sazerac detailed plans to expand its New Albany distilling and bottling operations with a $50 million investment.

The new facility will be built on 1,400 acres near the Charlestown State Park.

“This is an incredibly exciting project for us,” said Jeff Conder, vice president of manufacturing for Sazerac. “We’re thrilled to increase our manufacturing footprint and our workforce with steady, good-paying jobs, with wages at or above the Clark County average.”

The company did not immediately provide a timeline for construction. Jack Coffman, president of the Clark County Commissioners, says the announcement represents another major milestone for the county and region.

“We look forward to working with the team at Sazerac as they continue to build on their success and enjoy continued growth in southern Indiana,” said Coffman. “Clark County continues to make our focus on infrastructure development to attract new business and assist existing businesses to grow.”

In 2018, Sazerac announced plans to occupy the former General Mills Pillsbury plant in New Albany and transform it into an alcohol bottling plant. Since then, the company says its investment in the plant and subsequent expansions has totaled $156 million and created 250 jobs.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Sazerac up to $6.5 million in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers have been hired for the new jobs and investments have been made. The IEDC board must still vote to approve the incentives.

The Clark County Council and commissioners are will also consider additional incentives.