Coors Brewery in Richwood? (Charleston, Fayetteville: home, salary, tax)

[JohnNada]

So I ran across this article in the WVGazette that mentions that Coors once wanted to build a brewery in WV...when was this?

Charleston Gazette-Mail | Daniel W. Martin II: All the stuff that turns millennials off WV, same goes for this Gen-Xer

Apparently they wanted to take advantage of the mountain water in that area. Could you imagine something like the Bourbon Trail over in KY existing in WV only instead of bourbon it would be beer? That area could have been a tourist destination for folks to visit the brewery and then take in some recreation that the area has to offer. Who knows maybe more breweries would have located here too. The locals shot this down so we'll never know.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by JohnNada

So I ran across this article in the WVGazette that mentions that Coors once wanted to build a brewery in WV...when was this?

Charleston Gazette-Mail | Daniel W. Martin II: All the stuff that turns millennials off WV, same goes for this Gen-Xer

Apparently they wanted to take advantage of the mountain water in that area. Could you imagine something like the Bourbon Trail over in KY existing in WV only instead of bourbon it would be beer? That area could have been a tourist destination for folks to visit the brewery and then take in some recreation that the area has to offer. Who knows maybe more breweries would have located here too. The locals shot this down so we'll never know.

Yeah, it's the old "If I didn't need a job, I would live there in a heartbeat" type article written by some semi-guilty native who left.

It is code for "The standard of living I want for myself is more important than living in my hometown." Nothing wrong with this type of sentiment, but I feel it is a more accurate way of describing the situation (looking inward at your own desires) as opposed to blaming the community (justifying a tough decision by casting the blame outward at economic and social factors beyond any one person's control.)

I work 2nd shift in a terminal position because it is what allows me to live where I want to live, my ancestral home. My salary and future prospects were much better when I lived in the D.C. suburbs, but jobs and $$$ matter less to me than supporting my home by sticking around, living here, and raising my kids here.

The truth is.......most people who live in Appalachia have to make this decision. I know for some it is an easy choice, one way or the other. For others the decision is fraught with constant relitigation and 2nd thoughts. Either way, I much prefer it when people understand the pivot point of the decision is rarely the community itself; it is nearly always the desires and expectations of the individual.

[aeros71]

JohnNada,

I agree with you that the potential was off the charts. IF a trail could've been developed, it could've stretched from Fayetteville to Snowshoe and provided a nice economic spark to that area.

Turning Coors away is just another example of West Virginia getting in its own way yet again.

[bballjunkie]

This is the first I have ever heard that Coors wanted to locate in Richwood. I graduated in 1966 and was going to return but things didn't work out.

I would love to read some accounts of this offer and the towns people who turned it down.

[Golfclubb]

There still is hope for beer tourism in WV. Vermont is the prime example. People travel to Vermont from all over the country to visit breweries throughout the state. Some of which are located in very rural areas without cell service. I actually made a trip up there specifically to go to breweries last year and it absolutely lived up to the hype. They have some of the best in the country. WV has come a along way in the last 3 years with respect to craft breweries. There continue to be new breweries opening but the quality isn't quite there yet to generate significant tourism specifically for beer. There are some things that need to happen to improve the climate for beer in the state: 1)raise the ABV limit from 12% to somewhere in the 20% range. This will allow WV brewers to make high ABV styles that can generate strong demand from the people who would travel for beer. 2) improve the growler laws that limit each person to 2 64oz growlers per day. There really shouldn't be a cap on growler fills. Breweries often set their own limits based on supply and demand. 3) The government should incentivize brewers who want to start a new brewery in WV. I absolutely hate corporate welfare and tax incentives but this is a case where it would help the industry develop within the state.