Craft Beer Means Big Bucks To GR Economy [Video]

The growing craft beer industry in Grand Rapids is a boon to the local economy, both in terms of jobs and profits. Overall, the beer industry is worth $6.6 billion dollars to the State of Michigan.

That's great, another reason to crack open a local brew!!

The data was released prior to a Congressional briefing on the beer industry in Washington DC. The results were pretty mind blowing. In addition to the $6.6 billion, brewing nets over 35,000 jobs and $367 million in tax revenue.

Those figures means Michigan ranks tenth in the nation in terms of making money off of its beer industry.

Locally, in Grand Rapids, the impact is well over $500 million dollars.

“These independent beer distributors provide significant economic benefits in their communities through local business-to-business commerce, investments in local infrastructure and capital assets and tax revenue,” said National Beer Wholesalers Association president and CEO Craig Purser in a written statement. “They provide services that improve efficiency for trading partners, especially small brewers and retailers, and they ensure fair prices and a broad selection of products for consumers to enjoy.”

So drink up, you thirsty beer hounds, it's bringing our economy back around.