Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe was in Manassas yesterday to announce a $250,000 grant to help craft brewery Heritage Brewing expand.
Residents, elected and state officials gathered at the site of the incoming $250 million mixed-use development for the announcement.
The site, named The Landing, will not only feature the new Heritage Brewing facility but also 270 townhomes, 250,000 square feet of office space, a hotel, and specialty retail and dining space, according to Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish.
Heritage Brewing started back in 2013.
According to McAuliffe, the funding comes from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industry’s Development Grant, which was given to the City of Manassas, where it will be passed on to the brewery.
The city government will be matching the state’s grant with local funds and employee training will be funded by the Virginia Jobs Investment program, according to a release.
“Virginia is rich in agriculture innovation. And what we’re doing here, whether it’s breweries, whether it’s wineries, distilleries, cideries – it all impacts the local farmer and producer,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Basil Gooden.
McAuliffe said that Virginia is the fastest growing state for agribusiness, like craft breweries and wineries, in the United States.
“What I also love about the craft beer business – I’ve never seen a business where your competitors, you all help one another. If you’re out of an ingredient you’ll go down the street to another craft brewery, and they’ll lend ya it,” said McAuliffe.
McAuliffe also spoke about the importance of developing agribusiness as well as data centers and cybersecurity, as a way to not rely as heavily on federal government jobs.
Heritage Brewing currently operates a facility in Manassas at 9436 Center Point Lane, but will be building out their far larger new space at The Landing.
“Here we’re going to see a major expansion – they’re going to put $9 million up – they’re going to create 66 new jobs, and they’re right here gonna build a 35,000 square foot new facility,” said McAuliffe.
Heritage Brewing has committed to purchasing 44% of their hops for the beer from Virginia farmers, and spending around $235,000 in the next three years on local agricultural products.
Acknowledging the breweries’ owners experience as veterans, McAuliffe spoke about Virginia’s initiatives to employ and assist veterans in the Commonwealth,
“We are so proud of our veterans and our active duty here,” said McAuliffe.
