Following a series of rollbacks in regulations and taxes, farm distilleries have been on the rise in New York. The number of farm distilleries has increased from 10 in 2011 to 78 today.
Advertisement
A New York state ethics board tasked with cleaning up Albany’s corruption problem squabbled over the selection of a new executive director and whether Gov. Andrew Cuomo holds too much sway over the agency.
Matthew Bowers, owner of Four Fights Distilling, said he hopes to start producing vodka and whiskey later this month and to have the product on shelves next month.
“By building the biggest solar panel factory in the Western Hemisphere we are making a commitment to next-generation industries in Western New York”, said Howard Zemsky, President and CEO of Empire State Development. Another change in 2012 abolished a licensing fee on farm distilleries, saving businesses another $30,000. New York ranks third in the nation in wine production, behind only California and Washington.
The second eliminated the label registration fee for small batch ciders, beers and liquors in December 2013. Her distillery gets its crops from Farmers Grounds in Trumansburg.
The facility is being built on the site of a former steel mill.
“Today, Buffalo has reached a new high”, said Cuomo.
Advertisement
As previously announced, SolarCity will create over 1,460 direct manufacturing jobs at the new facility, and employ more than 2,000 additional workers in the state to provide solar services in the next five years.
