Project to revitalize existing buildings in downtown Henderson 

HENDERSON, KY - On September 30, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local leaders and executives from Henderson Distilling Co. to break ground on the startup distiller’s more-than-$5 million project in downtown Henderson, which will create at least 12 full-time jobs for Kentucky residents.

“With every groundbreaking event, we celebrate another quality investment that will bring job opportunities and economic growth to the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is an exciting next step for Henderson Distilling Co. and the Henderson County community. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their belief in what this great state has to offer and look forward to their success here in Kentucky.”

Founders Andrew and Meredith Powell will rehabilitate the former Henderson Municipal Power & Light campus in downtown Henderson as part of this project, revitalizing two longstanding facilities in the community. They also will construct a new building on the campus, with barrels stored in a renovated building on the property and a visitor center located in a 7,000-square-foot structure facing Main Street. The operation will include a full-production distillery, as well as tourism and retail space, and is expected to open in early 2025.

Ground and site work have already begun for the new craft distillery stillhouse. The facility will produce bourbon and rye whiskeys along with other spirits, and feature 30-foot glass windows, offering guests views of the river, railroad bridge and column stills.

“Meredith and I are truly humbled by the vision and faith of our partners who have joined us in this venture. We are also immensely grateful for our state, county and local partners who have helped get us to this point,” said Andrew Powell, co-founder of Henderson Distilling. “It is really exciting to get to rekindle the distilling industry in Henderson, and we are committed to creating world-class spirits and experiences that will be enjoyed and remembered for generations to come.”

Meredith will serve as the head distiller, overseeing all aspects of bourbon production, while Andrew will handle the business operations. With the Powell family and all their investors connected to Henderson, Andrew referred to the project as a “community distillery.”

Today’s event caps National Bourbon Heritage Month in the commonwealth, celebrating a signature industry that contributes $9 billion to Kentucky’s economy annually and attracts millions of visitors to the state each year.

Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider noted the hard work to bring this project to Henderson: “I am so proud for the ownership group of our new distillery. They have worked long and hard to bring this project from a dream to a groundbreaking. The distillery will be a tremendous addition to our historic downtown and draw thousands of visitors to our community. I can’t wait to cut the ribbon next year and to also taste the first bourbon from their barrels a few short years from now. To Andrew, Meredith and all their partners: Cheers!”

Henderson Mayor Brad Staton said the project will have a positive impact on the community: “I’m so proud when people take a chance on our community, invest their time and resources, and have great ideas they’re able to bring to life. Henderson and our tourism industry are going to benefit from this new venture for many decades to come.”

Missy Vanderpool, executive director of Henderson Economic Development, welcomed the company to Henderson County: “Today is an exciting day for Henderson, as we break ground on our first craft distillery. We are incredibly thankful to Andrew and Meredith Powell, along with the Henderson Distilling Co. team, for their significant investment in our community. This project will not only create jobs but also boost tourism and foster local pride. This groundbreaking marks an exciting new chapter in Henderson’s future, and we look forward to the many opportunities it will bring to our community.”

Abby Dixon, executive director of the Henderson Tourist Commission, explained the impact bourbon has on tourism in Kentucky: “This groundbreaking is a transformative moment for Henderson and our growing tourism economy. With the bourbon industry generating $9 billion for our state and welcoming 2 million visitors annually, we are ready to carve out our own place in this vibrant industry. Thanks to the visionaries who are bringing this project to life, we are solidifying our place on the map as a can’t-miss destination for bourbon enthusiasts to experience for themselves.”

Henderson Distilling’s investment and job creation build on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $32.5 billion in announced investments, creating more than 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.

In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in January 2023 preliminarily approved an incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide tax incentives based on the company’s investment annual job and wage targets.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, the company can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

A detailed community profile for Henderson County can be viewed here.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.