Sun King Unveils Statewide Strategy
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe founders of Indianapolis-based Sun King Brewing Co. say a planned $10 million brewery in Fishers is part of a strategy to become “Indiana's beer.” President Omar Robinson says the brewer is negotiating with distributors to take its product statewide. Sun King also says technology at the new facility could lead to its beer being sold in grocery and convenience stores. In an interview on this weekend's Inside INdiana Business Television, Robinson and his son and co-founder Clay said market research shows craft beer is nowhere near its saturation point in Indiana. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the brewery will create up to 55 jobs by 2019. Sun King purchased nearly 13 acres near I-69 and 96th Street in Fishers for the brewery and tasting room it says will be able to host “thousands of our friends” for special events.
Originally Posted August 18, 2014
News Release
Fishers, Ind. — Sun King Brewing Company, LLC, (Sun King Brewery), an Indiana craft beer brewery, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 55 new jobs by 2019.
The homegrown-Hoosier company, which is the state's second largest beer brewer, will invest $8.8 million to construct and equip a 40,000 square-foot facility located at 0 Kincaid Drive in Fishers, at the southeast corner of Kincaid Dr. and Park Central Dr. The facility will house Sun King Brewery's second brewery, as well as a tasting room, to allow Sun King Brewery to increase beer production in order to meet demand.
“We are excited that once again Sun King Brewery has chosen Indiana as a fixture in its long-term business plans,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We have worked hard to create an environment that promotes growth and creates more opportunities for Hoosiers, and we look forward to continuing to watch them expand here in the future.”
A 2011 Company to Watch recipient and 2012 Company to Watch Spotlight Award recipient, this is Sun King Brewery’s second announced expansion in the last two years. In early 2013, the brewery announced plans to invest $3 million to expand its Indianapolis operations and increase beer production, adding up to 32 new jobs by the end of 2016. Sun King Brewery will hire tasting room, production and delivery positions on an ongoing basis, creating up to 20 new jobs at its new Fishers location within its first year of operation.
“Sun King has experienced tremendous growth in Indiana over the past five years, and it’s important to us to be able to continue to make enough beer to serve the entire state,” said Omar Robinson, president of Sun King Brewery. “Sun King sells more craft beer in Indiana than any other Indiana brewery, and this new brewery will allow us to continue to meet the demand for our beer and to make that fresh local beer in a state that is business-friendly.”
Established in 2009, Sun King Brewery brews and distributes handcrafted house, seasonal and specialty beers that are available on tap and in cans at hundreds of locations in central Indiana. The company's beers have garnered multiple medals at the Indiana Brewers Cup, Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Sun King Brewing Company up to $450,000 from the state's Industrial Development Grant Fund to the town of Fishers and in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The town of Fishers will consider additional incentives.
“Sun King embodies the vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit that Fishers fosters throughout the community,” said Scott Fadness, town manager of Fishers. “The expansion into Fishers not only creates a new destination for our community, but aligns with our mission to create an environment in which high-growth, high-potential companies compete and thrive.”
About Sun King Brewery
Sun King Brewing Company is the brainchild of Dave Colt and Clay Robinson. With the help of family and friends – Omar Robinson, Andy Fagg and Steve Koers – the first keg of Sun King beer rolled out the door for delivery in July 2009. Now available on tap and in cans at hundreds of locations around central Indiana, Sun King has grown into the second-largest beer brewer in the state of Indiana. The company's commitment to handcrafted seasonal and specialty beers has been rewarded with multiple medals at the Indiana Brewers Cup, Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions. Visit www.sunkingbrewing.com for more information. SunKing Brewery is also on Facebook and Google+.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.