Governor McAuliffe Announces $60 Million Investment in Rockingham County

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that MillerCoors, a joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors Brewing Company, will invest $60 million to expand its Shenandoah brewery in Rockingham County. The brewery is the newest in the MillerCoors network and is used to service Northeast markets. The project will create 27 new jobs.

“Virginia continues to solidify its status as a leading state for the brewing industry,” said Governor McAuliffe. “MillerCoors has been present in Rockingham County for nearly 30 years, providing quality jobs. The Shenandoah Valley offers the ideal business climate and workforce needed to brew world-class beer that consumers can enjoy all over the country and world. I am thrilled to have MillerCoors as a partner in our work to build a new Virginia economy.”

“MillerCoors’ expansion in Rockingham County is a testament to the locality and to the Commonwealth’s stellar workforce and business environment,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Business expansion is the best way to grow the Virginia economy, and I thank the company for its continued confidence in our state and our strong, long-lasting partnership. I look forward to witnessing another 30 years of growth!”

Through its diverse collection of breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders. MillerCoors offers domestic favorites such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Coors Banquet, Redd’s and Henry’s Hard Soda. The company also brews Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy and Blue Moon Belgian White Ale.

“MillerCoors is proud to partner with Virginia on this expansion,” said MillerCoors’ Director of Media Relations Jon Stern. “Our Elkton facility has played a key role in allowing us to efficiently deliver high quality beer to Northeast markets. We look forward to continued success and growth in Rockingham County as we expand our state-of-the-art Shenandoah brewery.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockingham County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure this project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $500,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. MillerCoors will be eligible to receive sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment. Funding and services to support employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. 

“MillerCoors Shenandoah Valley has been a longtime partner in Rockingham County, and we value our relationship that has spanned virtually 30 years,” said Rockingham County Board Chairman William “Billy” Kyger. “Committed to its employees, our community and the environment, MillerCoors is one of our strongest business partners. This expansion will enable the company to continue to produce only the highest quality beers, and it proves once again that Rockingham County is a great business destination.”

“The Shenandoah Valley is fortunate to have the continued commitment and strategic investment of MillerCoors in our diverse regional economy,” said Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership Carrie Chenery. “The strength of this key existing employer in the Valley and the partnership we enjoy with them are reflective of our regional economic stability and success as a premier manufacturing and distribution location.”

“MillerCoors has been a community stalwart, and this expansion further solidifies its strong ties to our area,” said Senator Emmett Hanger. “I am pleased to see this expansion move forward. It only strengthens the MillerCoors bond here in Virginia and further demonstrates a commitment to really being a productive, contributing company, in addition to producing a top-quality product. MillerCoors is the definition of ‘the Virginia way’ of doing good business.”