AFTER SCHUMER’S PUSH TO GET FEDS CUT THROUGH RED TAPE FOR ROCHESTER’S BLACK BUTTON DISTILLING’S EXPANSION, SENATOR ANNOUNCES TTB HAS HEEDED HIS CALLS AND APPROVED LONG DELAYED PERMITS, OPENING DOOR TO BARRELS OF NEW BUSINESS FOR LOCAL ROCHESTER FAVORITE
For Months, Fed Inaction Held Up Black Button Distilling’s Expansion Plans To Open NYS’ Largest-Ever Bourbon Barrel Aging Warehouse on Lyell Ave in Rochester– Last Week, Schumer Launched Efforts To Get TTB To Stop Dragging Feet So Plans Could Move Forward
Now, Feds Have Heeded Schumer’s Calls And Approved Black Button’s Plans In Rochester To Expand And Turn Great NY-Grown Agricultural Products Into More Barrels Of Great NY-Grown Bourbon
Schumer: Rochester Can Now Cheers To Black Button Distilling’s New Expansion
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that less than one week after launching his push, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has approved Black Button Distilling’s plans to open a new 15,000 bourbon barrel aging and storage warehouse in Rochester, which will support their ongoing efforts to grow their business and newly opened location, expand production, and hire more workers. Thanks to Schumer’s efforts Black Button can breathe a huge sigh of relief after a three-month delay, which strained operations and cost them business, and can now move forward with the expansion and creation of New York State’s largest bourbon aging facility in Rochester.
“Get ready Rochester, because Black Button Distilling can start rolling out the barrels! Black Button is not only a huge part of the booming beverage industry in and around Rochester, but a local staple for events and celebrations. Thanks to my push the red tape has finally been cut and Rochester can cheers to this beloved business finally being able to grow,” said Senator Schumer. “With TTB heeding my calls and approving the expansion plans, Black Button can distill more home-grown NY products into Rochester-made bourbon, boosting both good paying jobs and the region’s economy. I’m proud to support this local company and I will always come when New York business’s call and ensure their voices are heard.”
“We are thankful to Senator Schumer and his office for their help pushing through the federal bureaucracy that had delayed our plans to open the state's largest Bourbon barrel aging and storage warehouse. Now that the TTB has granted approval, we can proceed with our planned expansion, which will allow us to make even more Rochester-made bourbon. Cheers to that!” said Jason Barrett, Founder and President, Black Button Distilling.
Schumer explained that, thanks to his push to get these long-delayed permits swiftly approved, Black Button Distilling can now move forward on plans to open a new warehouse on Lyell Avenue in Rochester to age and store 15,000 barrels of Bourbon, which will be the largest purpose-built barrel storage warehouse in all of New York State. The Senator said the opening of the new barrel storage warehouse is an integral part of Black Button’s recent expansion, including it’s opening of a new expanded production and tasting room at a new 28,000 square foot facility on University Avenue in the heart of Rochester. The associated new barrel storage facility site complements the new expanded production/tasting room and is vital to Black Button executing their expansion and growth plans.
Schumer said after waiting for over three months for the TTB to review and approve their two applications, after he personally called on TTB to act, Black Button can finally move forward on the bourbon barrel aging warehouse. This is a huge win for the distillery, which will be able to both grow their business and hire more workers to turn great NY-grown agricultural products into great NY-grown bourbon.
Schumer explained that Black Button Distilling is a staple in the Rochester region; they started as a one-man operation over a decade ago and have since grown into a nationally-renowned distillery with 87 employees making 40 barrels/day of bourbon produced with New York grown ingredients. Black Button is Rochester’s first grain-to-glass distillery since prohibition and operates in a sustainable fashion, using only locally sourced ingredients with 100% of Black Button’s whiskey ingredients sourced from within 50 miles of the distillery to make their bourbon. Schumer said that because they use NY agricultural products and purchase products local to NY, they are a vital business to the area and this expansion will enable them to continue serving the community and region. Now that TTB has heeded Schumer’s calls and taken the necessary steps to quickly approve the applications, Black Button can grow their business and hire more New Yorkers, and the regional alcohol beverage industry will continue to thrive, boosting the region and state’s economy.
A copy of Schumer’s original letter to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau appears below:
I write to request the expeditious approval of two applications submitted by Black Button Distilling to the Federal Tobacco and Trade Bureau (TTB) which are necessary to enable a significant expansion of this growing Rochester, NY business. Black Button is a staple in the Rochester region; they started as a one-man operation over a decade ago and have since grown into a nationally-renowned distillery with 87 employees making 40 barrels/day of bourbon produced with New York grown ingredients.
These two applications (a corporate change notice and a new noncontiguous bond approval) are vital for Black Button to continue their ongoing expansion projects. The distillery is currently in the process of opening a new barrel warehouse on Lyell Avenue in Rochester, NY which will hold 15,000 barrels of Bourbon and be the largest purpose-built barrel storage warehouse in all of New York State. However they cannot proceed until the bond approval has been processed and approved by TTB.
Unfortunately, Black Button has been waiting over three months for their applications to be reviewed. This has caused significant strain and has delayed their ability to both grow their business and hire more workers. The opening of the new barrel storage warehouse is an integral part of Black Button recent expansion including it’s opening of a new expanded production and tasting room at a new 28,000 square foot location in the heart of Rochester. The associated new barrel storage facility site complements the new expanded production/tasting room and is vital to enable Black Button to execute on their expansion growth plans.
It’s crucial that these applications be reviewed and processed as quickly as possible. Thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance to allow this great New York business to continue to grow their operations.
Sincerely,
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