Expansion projected to bring up to 50 new jobs to area
NEW ALBANY, IND. (August 13, 2021) Northwest Ordinance Distilling, a distilled spirits bottling facility, announced its intention to again expand its production facility in New Albany, Ind. The facility, located at 707 Pillsbury Lane, was purchased in June of 2018 and is the former General Mills Pillsbury plant, which closed in 2016.
The $48.7 million expansion will include $9.3 million in building improvements and $39.4 million in four new processing and bottling lines. The expansion will better allow the company to meet market demand and will result in the addition of 50 full time employees over three years. This latest expansion follows a $39.5 million expansion in 2020 that resulted in the addition of 50 full time employees.
“We’re thrilled to be growing Northwest Ordinance Distilling yet again,” said Jeff Conder, vice president of manufacturing. “The New Albany facility is ideally positioned for investment and job creation to address production growth and meet demand. The State of Indiana, the City of New Albany, and One Southern Indiana continue to be invaluable partners in cultivating a business-friendly environment. We’re excited to once again increase our manufacturing footprint and our workforce with steady, good paying jobs, with wages at or above the Floyd County average.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Sazerac of Indiana LLC (parent of Northwest Ordinance Distilling) up to $525,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.
“Today’s announcement is another encouraging sign of positive economic momentum in Indiana,” said Jim Staton, SVP and chief business development officer for the IEDC. “We are encouraged by Northwest Ordinance Distilling’s accelerated growth and grateful for their commitment to providing quality career opportunities for Hoosiers in southern Indiana.”
The company will be seeking real and personal property tax abatements, which allow it to phase in its increased property taxes over time. The tax abatements offer the company an estimated savings of $2.8 million over the next 10 years. The New Albany City Council is scheduled to vote on final approval of the company’s local incentives next week, with the project contingent upon the council’s approval.
“Since their reopening of the General Mills facility in 2018, Northwest Ordinance Distilling has proven to be a tremendous partner for the City of New Albany. They now employ more than 150 workers at a pay averaging nearly 20 percent above the Floyd County average, and this new announcement follows on the heels of another significant expansion just over a year ago,” said New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan, “I am excited about the potential of this new expansion and look forward to many years of continued success and growth for our friends at Northwest Ordinance Distilling.”
Last year, Northwest Ordinance Distilling stepped up in the fight against COVID-19 producing hand sanitizer for some of the world’s largest organizations in the healthcare, government, military, retail, distribution, airline, pharmacy and banking industries. In addition, the company played a part in the donation of thousands of N95 respirator masks for frontline healthcare workers.
Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana said, “Northwest Ordinance Distilling locating its new facility in New Albany was the biggest local business news of 2018. Their 2020 expansion demonstrated continued confidence in our workforce, government and community. Their decision to expand here yet again, and so quickly, is another vote of confidence for Southern Indiana and another significant step forward as we emerge from the economic crisis. Northwest Ordinance Distilling’s prestige and continued success are a significant addition to the portfolio of industries in the area. As always, 1si stands ready to assist them in any way we can.”
About Northwest Ordinance Distilling
Northwest Ordinance Distilling is part of the Sazerac family, one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada.
About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area.
Since its inception, the organization has taken a three-pronged approach to serving its members and investors. Business Resources, as the chamber side of the organization, encompasses membership, signature events and programs which support and encourage business growth; Economic Development works to grow the regional economy through the attraction of new commerce and assists with retention and expansion of existing businesses; Advocacy supports businesses at the government level by engaging in the initiatives to preserve, protect and promote a business-friendly environment free of obstacles to growth and development of commerce. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.
