tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post7157845411407592553..comments2024-03-19T20:31:23.141-05:00Comments on The Chuck Cowdery Blog: Fruit of the Loom to Close Last Kentucky FactoryChuck Cowderyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-87408647579300641402014-04-05T13:37:05.966-05:002014-04-05T13:37:05.966-05:00Didn't miss your point. Just dared to disagree...Didn't miss your point. Just dared to disagree. Of course whiskey is a good investment. For private corporations. The government shouldn't be in the taxpayer handout business picking industry winners and losers.<br /><br />The idea that whiskey also benefits other businesses like farmers and truckers can be applied to Fruit of the Loom, too. Not sure how that bolsters the position of handouts. <br /><br />Back to your original number. Fruit of the Loom employed 3200 people just in its Jamestown facility alone. According to the latest economic report commissioned by the Kentucky Distiller's Association (Page 12 at http://www.kybourbon.com/images/uploads/Economic_Impact2012.pdf) the ENTIRE state's distilling industry employs 3105. One underwear plant employed 95 more people than the entire state's distilling industry. Not whiskey. All sprits. <br /><br />I will concede I was wrong on one count. Kentucky doesn't make 90% of the world's bourbon. It makes 95% according to this same report. Quite the "competitive impediment" warranting taxpayer subsidies indeed.Brian B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-51259975288311712992014-04-04T17:04:05.472-05:002014-04-04T17:04:05.472-05:00If you think this is about a choice between textil...If you think this is about a choice between textiles and whiskey, Brian, you have missed the point entirely.<br /><br />Also, you're not as right on the facts as you think you are. Bottling, especially, is labor-intensive and because the producers must make their bourbon in Kentucky, they bottle a lot of other things in Kentucky too. Most of the bottling in the new Wild Turkey bottling house will be for Skyy vodka, not Wild Turkey bourbon.<br /><br />Plus a booming whiskey business is good for farmers, truckers, coopers, and everyone in the lodging and hospitality industries who is working because of whiskey tourism.<br /><br />Your point about Buffalo Trace ignores the aging cycle. The products they are running short of now were distilled years ago. This is about the future and expanding so they can make enough to satisfy thirsty billions in China and India. <br /><br />I'm glad Kentucky's lawmakers see the big picture, even if some of my readers do not. Whiskey is a good investment.Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-33817584686359898872014-04-04T14:35:16.903-05:002014-04-04T14:35:16.903-05:00Spot on, anonymous. Distilleries can be viable wit...Spot on, anonymous. Distilleries can be viable with a handful of employees. Not one whiskey brand will ever rival the 3200 jobs Fruit of the Loom once created in Jamestown. <br /><br />Also, 90%+ of bourbon is still made in Kentucky. Regardless of a tax break there hardly seemed to be a "competitive impediment" in the first place. Ask Buffalo Trace. Pre-tax break, they still can't adequately supply the nation's demand at its chosen price points on even their basic offerings. <br /><br />As always, Chuck, huge fan of your posts and agreeing to disagree. <br /><br /><br /><br />Brian B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-45983149448592501892014-04-03T22:15:41.629-05:002014-04-03T22:15:41.629-05:00How many people are working in whiskey business in...How many people are working in whiskey business in Kentucky?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com