Cheers! Beer has $6.6B impact in MI, new study finds

The beer industry has a $6.6 billion impact on Michigan’s economy, contributes more than 35,500 direct jobs and generates more than $1.15 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue, according to a new Beer Serves America study by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

The data from across the United States was released today before a Congressional briefing.

The economic impact includes agriculture, mining, construction, real estate, manufacturing, retail, transportation, travel and entertainment and wholesale.

In Michigan, more than 1,100 jobs are in brewing, more than 4,200 in wholesaling and more than 30,000 in retail. Together, those three groups earn more than $1 billion,

Michigan ranks eighth in total jobs and 14th in total economic output, according to the report. California ranks 1st in those categories.

Of the business and personal taxes generated, more than $367 million is state and local. And of the sales taxes, more than $174 million is state and local.

“These independent beer distributors provide significant economic benefits in their communities through local business-to-business commerce, investments in local infrastructure and capital assets and tax revenue,” said National Beer Wholesalers Association president and CEO Craig Purser in a written statement. “They provide services that improve efficiency for trading partners, especially small brewers and retailers, and they ensure fair prices and a broad selection of products for consumers to enjoy.”

Contact Zlati Meyer: 313-223-4439 or zmeyer@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @ZlatiMeyer