Log Still Distillery to create 126 jobs with Phase 2 investment

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Log Still Distillery, a startup reviving a historic site in southern Nelson County, expects to create 126 full-time jobs with a $24 million Phase 2 investment as it opens Dant Crossing, a 300-acre campus that will be home to the distillery and other amenities to be rolled out during the next year.

With Log Still Distillery and Dant Crossing, founder J.W. “Wally” Dant hopes to create a family-friendly tourism destination. New jobs created with the second phase of the project will include hospitality, event operations, restaurant and distillery operations positions.

The first lodging amenity to open at Dant Crossing, the Homestead Bed & Breakfast, welcomed its first guests earlier this year, and spirits from Log Still will be available in the coming weeks.

The company expects to open additional amenities this year, including a tasting room, amphitheater, restaurant, train depot and event/conference center, with plans to add a visitor’s center, museum and gift shop in 2022.

Log Still’s products will include bourbon, rye whiskey and gin under the Monk’s Road brand and a line of Tennessee whiskeys under the Rattle and Snap label.

The distillery’s initial phase was announced in 2019 as a $12 million investment that would create 20 full-time jobs.

Kentucky tourism is an $11.8 billion industry in the commonwealth. Known as the Bourbon Capital of the World®, Nelson County generated over $42 million in economic impact from visitor and travel spending in 2019.

The commonwealth is home to 66 spirits operations employing more than 5,100 people full-time statewide. In 2020, the industry announced 20 projects in Kentucky, totaling more than $300 million in new investment and nearly 230 projected jobs.

Nelson County Judge/Executive Dean Watts said the company provides a unique twist on Kentucky’s thriving bourbon industry.

Kim Huston, president of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency, welcomed the company’s continued growth.

“Log Still Distillery will be a true destination experience, unlike anything seen in bourbon country,” Huston said. “We are thrilled about all the Dant family is creating here in Nelson County.”

Upon the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Log Still Distillery received approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives through the Tourism Development Act.

Eligible businesses receive an annual reimbursement for taxes paid on qualifying tourism development projects admission tickets, food and gift sales and lodging costs. Log Still Distillery will receive a tax incentive totaling $6 million for its Phase 2 tourism expansion.

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority in March approved Log Still for up to $500,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act based on the company’s total investment of $24 million.

KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

Log Still also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.

For more information on Log Still Distillery, visit LogStillDistillery.com.