Traverse City Whiskey Co. LLC, a Traverse City-based distiller of bourbon and whiskey and producer of premium cocktail cherry garnishes, is expanding in Traverse City with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
This expansion is supported by a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, and is expected to generate around $20 million and create nearly 100 jobs.
“Today’s $20 million investment by Traverse City Whiskey Company will create nearly 100 good-paying jobs and foster long-term economic opportunity in Northern Michigan’s agribusiness sector,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
TCWC began in 2012 when it opened its first distillery and bottling plant in downtown Traverse City producing straight bourbon and innovative cherry whiskey.
Right now, the company operates the Stillhouse tasting room, but the company’s rapid growth has exceed its current distilling capacity, which has caused a portion of its production to be outsourced to out-of-state partners. With this grant money, TCWC has been able to purchase and repurpose the abandoned Cherry Growers Co-Op cherry processing facility. By doing this, TCWC can now accommodate every step in the production process and meet increasing demand for its products without out-sourcing.
This purchase will include a traditional rackhouse, dedicated processing and packaging spaces, administrative offices and a visitor center and tasting room, as well as spectacular indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces.
“We’re thrilled to break ground on this incredible new facility and are grateful to the State of Michigan for investing in our future which will allow us to expand operations and exclusively produce our award-winning whiskey right here in our hometown of Traverse City,” said Chris Fredrickson, Co-Founder and President, TCWC.
Elmwood Township has offered a property tax abatement in support of the project, and plans to offer staff time in support of the project.
“Elmwood Township is excited that TC Whiskey is revitalizing the former Cherry Growers operations,” said Elmwood Township Supervisor Jeffrey K. Shaw, DC. “The property has been vacant and decaying, and the TC Whiskey project will provide economic opportunity for workers in our area.”
For more information on jobs coming out of the TCWC expansion, click
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