London-Laurel Co. Economic Development Authority Selling Nearly 200 Acres for Barrel Warehousing
$600 Million Investment and up to 50 New Jobs Expected as Result
LONDON-LAUREL CO. KY, (Nov. 23, 2022) London-Laurel Co. Economic Development Authority is proud to announce the sale of its 198-acre Rowland Acres Industrial Park on W. Hwy 192 in London, Kentucky to Sazerac Company, Inc. Sazerac, one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held companies, will be using the new land to build up to 20 new barrel warehouses for storage of distilled spirits, adding up to 50 new jobs. This $600 million investment at Rowland Acres Industrial Park will be one of the largest single investments made in Kentucky for a new distilled spirits storage site.
The project also includes a 72,000-square-foot expansion of Robinson Stave and Cumberland Cooperage in Laurel County, which Sazerac acquired in 2014, to increase production capacity for barrels used to store the company’s aging whiskies. The cooperage manufactures white oak bourbon barrels exclusively for Sazerac. There are currently 320 Sazerac team members at the East Bernstadt facility.
Work on the project is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the first seven barrel warehouses expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.
“We’re delighted to bring new jobs to London-Laurel County and appreciate the warm welcome shown to us by the city leaders and Economic Development Authority,” said Mark Brown, Sazerac president and chief executive officer. “We respect the hard-working residents in this area and look forward to using their talents to further help grow one of Kentucky’s signature industries – bourbon.”
“What an exciting time for London!” London-Laurel Co. EDA Executive Director Paula Thompson said. “Sazerac already provides quality jobs with great benefits and we are happy they chose Laurel County for their operation expansion and this record-breaking investment in our community.”
“This is a significant investment in Kentucky by Sazerac as our signature bourbon industry continues to grow at an incredible rate,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “I am so glad to see this job creation in Southeastern Kentucky, as well as the growth of a company that has invested so much in the commonwealth over the past 25 years. Thank you to the leaders at Sazerac for further deepening their roots in the Bluegrass State.”
To date, Sazerac’s investment in Kentucky has included approximately $1.2 billion invested at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the company’s primary distillery, located in Frankfort. The company’s Kentucky presence also includes Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, The Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro and its headquarters in Jefferson County.
Laurel County Judge/Executive David Westerfield noted the long-term impact the project will have in the region.
“This multimillion-dollar expansion is monumental for Laurel County,” Judge Westerfield said. “Sazerac’s Cumberland Cooperage in East Bernstadt offers some of the best jobs in our county and we are thrilled they are expanding their presence in our community.”
London Mayor Troy Rudder highlighted the importance of existing business growth.
“It’s always exciting when one of our existing businesses expands and invests further in our community,” Mayor Rudder said. “Sazerac’s Cumberland Cooperage offers some of the best paying jobs and benefits in the area and we are fortunate to have them continue to grow here.”
Brandon J. Storm, State Senator, 21st Senate District said, “As a Member of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism & Labor Committee, as well as being a native of London and Laurel County, I am extremely excited about Sazerac’s continued multi-million dollar investment in our community and our citizenry. With Sazerac’s purchase of the Rowland Acres Industrial Park, there will be a plethora of jobs available here in our Region for many years to come. London and Laurel County continue to be visionaries on the forefront of Regional economic development and I want to say thank you to everyone who worked so diligently to bring this project to fruition. I am excited to see the long-lasting impact this investment will have on our community economically.”
“London and Laurel Co. continue to create economic opportunities for the Cumberland Region.
Congratulations to local leaders for their hard work and determination over the last year on this project to continue to create quality jobs for this county and surrounding communities,” stated Shane Baker, State Representative House District 85.
Carol Wright, president and CEO of Jackson Energy Cooperative, is ready to work more closely with company leaders as Sazerac grows its presence in Laurel County.
“Jackson Energy looks forward to supporting and serving the needs of Sazerac-Buffalo Trace in Rowland Acres Industrial Park,” Wright said. “As a local business partner with the London-Laurel County Economic Development Authority, Jackson Energy recognizes the potential economic growth and job opportunities this industry will bring to our region.”
About Sazerac
Sazerac is 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. For more information on Sazerac visit https://www.sazerac.com/
About LLCEDA
London-Laurel Co. Economic Development Authority’s (LLCEDA) mission is to promote economic growth by creating high-quality jobs, investing in new capital improvements and improving our communities quality of life. LLCEDA accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations and individuals across the region, state, and nation that help to provide organizations a business-friendly environment and a skilled, qualified workforce. Since its founding in 1971, London-Laurel Co. Economic Development Authority has led the successful development of eight industrial parks and thousands of jobs. For more information about LLCEDA visit https://lookatlondonky.com/
For more information about this this project, please contact Paula Thompson, Executive Director of London-Laurel Co. Economic Development Authority at paula@lookatlondonky.com or at 606-864-8115.