Contributing writer Thomas Belcher
The Roanoke Region’s beer brewing industry continues to grow with the recent announcement that Parkway Brewing Co. will expand its operation in Salem, creating 13 new jobs over the next three years.
Parkway also will invest $750,000 in new equipment and purchase $20,500 of net-new Virginia-grown agricultural products to help fuel the company’s expansion beyond the Commonwealth, Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry, Basil I. Gooden, recently announced at news conference at the brewery.
The City of Salem will match the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) award amount of $150,000 with a cash grant of $150,000 that will be paid out to the company. The city’s matching funds will be used for building improvements. The company is also eligible for an estimated $4,800 in grant funds from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) to be used for job training. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program
“Through its commitment to sourcing ingredients from Virginia’s agricultural producers, Parkway Brewing Company is further supporting Virginia’s growing craft beer supply chain,” Gooden said. “I am pleased the Commonwealth could partner with the City of Salem through the AFID Program to support this local business in a quickly growing industry.”
“Parkway has become not only a successful business but a community hub and destination for visitors,” said Salem Mayor Randy Foley. “We are proud of our homegrown brewery and congratulate Parkway on its expansion.”
“We’re delighted to be part of the Roanoke Region’s growing status as a hub for craft brews of all kinds,” added Mike Pensinger, Parkway’s general manager and brewmaster. “This expansion will help us expand our capacity and reach new customers as the popularity of craft brews continues to rise in our area, in Virginia and across the country.”
Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, said: “Parkway will source Virginia-grown ingredients for their beers which will help producers of hops, peaches, honey and wheat.”
“Parkway Brewing has put Salem on the map in the world of quality breweries,” added Del. Greg Habeeb. “The news of their expansion is fantastic for the city and we are excited to see them grow.”
Parkway currently operates four vessels with a 17,000-barrel capacity specializing in distinctive ales. Founded in 2012, Parkway Brewing offers several beers exclusively on-site as well as flagship beers sold in bottles and kegs throughout Virginia. Currently producing more than a dozen varieties of styles, Parkway plans to expand into surrounding states.
Parkway’s convenient location on Kesler Mill Road off Interstate 81 makes it a popular destination for visitors to enjoy beer and music.
Craft beer is a $23.5 billion market, according to the Brewers Association, with a 10 percent dollar-sales growth in 2016. Craft beer production increased 6 percent last year, representing 12.3 percent market of the overall beer industry.
