Multiple Asheville news sources are reporting that a “major economic announcement” potentially involving the Fort Collins, Colo. based brewer, New Belgium Brewing, will be made by Gov. Bev Perdue at 4 p.m. today.
The announcement is expected to pertain to a parcel of land, rumored to be the future home of a New Belgium-owned East Coast brewery. The Asheville Mountain Xpress reports that city officials, state troopers and crews unloading hay bales were seen this morning on the 7-acre property.
Brewbound reached out yesterday to New Belgium spokesperson, Bryan Simpson, regarding the potential announcement. Simpson said he thinks “all will become clear very soon.”
The brewery was expected to make an announcement in February regarding a second location but postponed the announcement to continue doing “due diligence” on the two final site candidates — Asheville and Philadelphia.
Recall that Sierra Nevada recently announced plans to build its second location in the town of Mills River, N.C., just 20 miles outside Asheville.
We will have the official comment from New Belgium just after 4:oo p.m E.S.T.