Haley’s Honey Meadery to create jobs in Hopewell, Va.
Staff Writer |
Haley’s Honey Meadery, a producer of honey wine, is opening a new Virginia farm winery licensed facility in the City of Hopewell’s revitalizing downtown.
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Over the next three years, the project will create four new jobs, bring an additional $85,000 in new investment to a renovated historic commercial building, and purchase almost $120,000 in Virginia-sourced honey.
“We are very excited to receive these grant funds from the AFID program. This money will make it possible for us to expand our honey business by launching a micro-meadery in Hopewell.
“We will be able to revitalize a building for production, add a patio, and a retail space,†said Tonya and Mike Haley, owners of Haley’s Honey Meadery.
“Our passion is to support local farmers and educate people about beekeeping.
“Our goal is merge the old and new ways of beekeeping and reintroduce mead to the public by crafting it in small batches using Virginia products.
“We are going to educate people on the history of the oldest fermented drink and through this, continue our efforts to inform the public about the importance of the honeybee and their plight.â€
“The City is excited to see yet another business coming to downtown Hopewell,†said Jackie M. Shornak, Mayor of the City of Hopewell.
“The City is proud to offer incentives through the local enterprise zone program reducing start-up costs for businesses and are grateful for the support from Governor Northam and Secretary Ring through the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.â€
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the City of Hopewell Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Haley’s Honey Meadery to secure this project for Virginia.
Governor Ralph Northam approved a $12,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, which Hopewell will match with local funds. ■