Halifax County announces two projects creating 18 jobs

Halifax County announced two economic development projects on Wednesday, a craft whiskey distillery and a sawmill operation, which together are expected to create 18 jobs.

Springfield Distillery will open the county’s first craft distillery, creating five jobs. The company will source all of its corn and barley from Virginia farmers. The commitment represents purchasing 150,000 pounds of corn and barley over the next three years.

The craft distillery is expected to be part of an agri-tourism operation that also will feature log cabin lodging, farm-to-table dinners, and whiskey tasting and production classes.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $10,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund to assist with the project, which the county is matching with local funds.

In addition, Slick Rock Lumber will open a new sawmill operation in the county, creating 13 jobs. It will source 75 percent of its timber, worth $5 million, from Virginia land owners during the next three years.. 

Slick Rock will invest $535,000 in site improvements and equipment needed to open the new hard- and softwood sawmill. The company’s primary products will be railroad ties and large planks to be made into mats for use by utility, construction, and logging companies

McAuliffe approved a $12,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project, which Halifax County is matching with local funds.