New Jersey Senate committee passes measure to encourage state craft alcoholic beverage industry

The Senate Economic Growth Committee passed a measure to encourage, advertise, and promote craft alcoholic beverages manufactured in New Jersey and the retailers that promote and sell them.

S-1082 would establish the “Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program,” which the NJ Economic Development Authority would administer in conjunction with the NJ Division of Travel and Tourism.

It would also develop certified “Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer” signage for eligible alcoholic beverage license holders to use for promotional purposes. The program would also provide grants to eligible license holders to facilitate capital improvements or the purchase of goods and services.

“New Jersey is home to some of the nation’s best craft beverage makers, and establishing this program gives them the tools they need to showcase their products to the world,” state Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Bergen/Essex/Passaic, said in a release. “By promoting our homegrown breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and the retailers who support them, we’re not only strengthening a thriving industry, we’re boosting tourism and driving economic growth in communities across our state.”