by Eric Ginsburg
The decision to keep Natty Greene’s Brewing in Greensboro appears to be in the hands of city council.
As part of the Greensboro City Council agenda for Dec. 8, council will consider two economic development incentive grants related to the relocation of the brewery, according to documents made available this afternoon.
Natty Greene’s co-owner Kayne Fisher has previously said that the company will soon outgrow its production facility across from the Greensboro Coliseum and is considering all of its options for a new site, including other cities such as Charlotte. But Fisher said they’d like to keep the brewery — the city’s first and still by far the largest in Greensboro — here.
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It’s been known for a while that Natty Greene’s was considering the Revolution Mills property off of Yanceyville Street in northeast Greensboro. On Monday, company spokesperson Carlee Dempsey — who has been tight-lipped until now — provided some insight.
“I’ve been told we will know where we are going after next week’s city council meeting,” she said via email.
At that meeting, council will consider a grant to the brewing company not to exceed $387,500.
As the resolution reads, “the Company has requested that the City provide for a grant reimbursement to expand manufacturing and distribution operations, significantly increase production capacity and to potentially expand future distribution to the entirety of the east coast which amount of participation is presently estimated at no more than $387,500.00 based on a portion of anticipated new taxes to be derived by the City and new employment upon completion of the project.”
The resolution goes on to state that Natty Greene’s Brewing plans to invest at least $14.2 million by the end of 2018 and to create 27 jobs by the end of 2020 with an average salary of $40,000 plus benefits. The company would receive the payment in eight chunks after the $14.2 million investment occurs.
The resolution lists the site of Natty Greene’s growth as 1601 Yanceyville Street, part of the Revolution Mill complex.
Council will also consider a related incentive grant to Self Help Ventures Fund not to exceed $1 million for the “rehabilitation and revitalization” of the “historic Revolution Mill… and other associated parcels,” which it describes as “a destination campus and economic development catalyst for northeast and greater Greensboro.”
Self Help Ventures Fund will invest at least $85 million into the site and generate at least 20 new jobs by the end of 2018, according to the resolution.
Fisher could not be reached for comment. Revolution Mill Business Development Manager Nick Piornack couldn’t be immediately reached for comment Thursday. But it appears that if city council approves both grants this upcoming Tuesday, Natty Greene’s is here to stay.
Councilman Jamal Fox, who represents the district where Revolution Mill is located, said he is confident that the resolutions will pass.
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“Revolution Mill Business Development Manager Nick Piornack”
Feel like telling everyone Nick is/was a business partner of Nancy Hoffmann?