Beer buzz: Workers, troopers seen at rumored New Belgium location; Gov. Perdue to make announcement

Posted on by Bill Rhodes, Margaret Williams, Jake Frankel

UPDATE: The governor’s office sent out the following press release at around 4:30, Wednesday, April 4:

Gov. Perdue to Make an Economic Development Announcement in Buncombe County

Gov. Bev Perdue will make an economic development announcement on Thursday in Asheville.

What: Economic Development Announcement in Asheville

Who: Gov. Perdue and other business leaders

Where: Asheville Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville
               
When: Thursday, April 5, 4 p.m.

This morning, city officials, crews unloading hay bales, state troopers and Asheville Police were swarming the 7-acre Craven Street property rumored to be under contract for sale to craft brewer New Belgium. Asheville Director of Public Works Cathy Ball and Economic Development Director Sam Powers were conferring as crews worked on what appeared to be a stage area. Troopers told Xpress they were part of Gov. Bev Perdue’s advance protection detail. The governor may be at the new Linamar manufacturing site in south Asheville later today and is said to be planning to stay overnight at the Western Residence in north Asheville. (Craven Street photo by Bill Rhodes)

But there’s no official confirmation yet that Perdue will be taking part in an announcement on Craven Street. Although it’s rumored that the property — once the Western Carolina Livestock Market (photo by Max Cooper) — is under contract for sale to New Belgium, no sale has yet been recorded. In 2006, the property was sold to a locally based private corporation, the French Broad River Group.

Dispatches via Twitter on Wednesday morning, April 3:

@cibonline: Funny to feel ahead of the curve on the #newbelgium #avlbeer thing. Guess I’m better at keeping a secret than I thought. Excited!

@dustyallison: Prepping for the cameras?!? RT @WDTacoShop: Lots of activity in the stockyards this morning. #avlbeer #ashvegas

@beerpulse: Report: @NewBelgium could make Asheville announcement this week http://t.co/4TelGVU0 #craftbeer #beer #avlbeer

APRIL 3:

Asheville’s Twitterverse has been abuzz with unconfirmed but reliable (so they say) reports that craft brewer New Belgium will indeed build an East Coast facility in town, possibly at the old WNC Livestock center on Craven Street. Word is, there will be an announcement later this week. But so far: nothing but the buzz.

City workers unloading bales of straw, preparing for officials tomorrow.

 

A few dispatches from the Twittersphere about New Belgium yesterday, April 3:
1:30 p.m. Russ Bowen: @RussBowenNews: Multiple sources say New Belgium is coming to Asheville. Announcement coming possibly this week. #avlnews #avlnews
1:31 p.m. Russ Bowen: @RussBowenNews: New Belgium says Asheville and philly still on list not ready to comment but does say very interested in Asheville #avlnews #avlbeer
3:51 p.m. Anne-Fitten Glenn: @Brewgasm: Hear that @newbelgium’s East Coast Brewery WILL be built in #Asheville. Formal announcement Thursday 4/5. #avlbeer #ncbeer #craftbeer

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam
View all posts by Webmaster →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Beer buzz: Workers, troopers seen at rumored New Belgium location; Gov. Perdue to make announcement”

  1. Ricky Party

    Wow, you’d think they’re guarding the secret to the Ark of the Covenant or something. Get over yourselves already, NB… everyone knows you’re coming.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.