Members of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board voted to move forward with building a new warehouse and office space on Thursday.
ABC Board officials said at the meeting a lease agreement with the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) to finance the project would be finalized at a later meeting in three to four months.
The ABC Board said that in August, it required new warehouse "facilities designed to alleviate current constraints, that foster continued growth and support the future business needs of the state of Alabama.”
Alabama is one of 17 remaining alcoholic beverage control states in the United States.
ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart said at the meeting on Thursday, “Based on my discussions with the Finance Director, the Governor’s Office, and both General Fund budget chairs, I think the likelihood of what we were talking about earlier of the state at some point in the near future saying we want to get out of the alcohol business, I think that’s extremely remote.”
“Just looking at the numbers and the cost savings that we will generate once we get into this facility and it will take a couple years to speed up to that point. Going from that point, I think it’s a no-brainer in terms of the numbers,” Stewart said.
According to the RSA, the anticipated location is an approximately 25-acre site on Congressman WL Dickinson Drive in Montgomery. The final size and configuration of the project will be determined during the initial architectural phase.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
