Louisiana Distillers Urge Congress to Provide Economic Relief to Craft Distilleries Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
By Victoria Cristina, WGNO
WASHINGTON – In a recent letter sent to Louisiana’s congressional delegation, trade associations representing 19 distillers throughout the state urged Congress to provide additional economic relief to distilleries facing enormous financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19.
The letter was sent from Louisiana Distillers Guild President Andrew Lohfeld and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) President & CEO Chris Swonger.
Click here to view the letter.
In the letter, the leaders of both associations noted that Louisiana’s distilled spirits industry had been thriving prior to COVID-19, supporting over 23,000 Louisiana jobs and $1.7 billion in economic activity in 2018.
“As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, many distilleries in Louisiana have been forced to furlough or lay off employees. Absent additional relief, some distilleries soon may be faced with the tough decision to permanently close their doors, thus also impacting their farmer suppliers and others throughout the hospitality and tourism industries,” the industry leaders stated.
They urged Congress to act swiftly to enact further measures that provide liquidity and certainty to distillers who have seen sudden and steep declines in sales with the closure of distillery tasting rooms, restaurants and bars, as well as retail outlets in certain areas and airports.
“The distilled spirits industry is uniquely positioned at the nexus of the hospitality, agriculture, retail, and tourism industries. The livelihoods of farmers, glass bottle makers, truck drivers, warehouse workers, and countless others connected to the hospitality and tourism industry are compromised by the challenges confronting the distilled spirits industry,” they said.