STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After being awarded $6 million in state grants, Brooklyn Brewery has initial funding to get started on a $70 million distribution facility project.

But one question remains: Is the brewery definitely coming to Staten Island's West Shore, or to another location in the city?

According to sources familiar with the state's recently released Regional Council Report, the monies earmarked for Brooklyn Brewery are for the distribution facility to be built somewhere in the five boroughs. The report doesn't specify that it will be built on Staten Island.

"The West Shore is our leading choice for the new brewery location, but because of the size of the overall development there are layers of environmental review that will be required before individual sites can be built on," said Eric Ottaway, chief operating officer and general manager of Brooklyn Brewery.

He said the Brewery is working closely with Staten Island Marine Development, the site owner, Borough Hall, the mayor's office of Housing and Economic Development and city Economic Development Corp. "to determine the likely timelines for such approvals to make sure those timelines fit within the requirements of the Brooklyn Brewery."

Staten Island Marine didn't immediately respond to Advance phone calls about the timeline for the environmental review.

Other sites that have been under consideration exist in the Lower Hudson Valley and New Jersey.

Ottoway wouldn't comment further about whether other land parcels within New York City are under consideration for the brewery facility.

Borough leaders say they are hoping the brewery comes to the borough.

"We are hearing they (Brooklyn Brewery) are waiting on the environmental review, and depending on how that goes that will shape if they will come here or go somewhere else," said Cesar Claro, president and CEO of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation.

"I'd like to see them here as a Staten Island operation. I think if we get Brooklyn Brewery, it's good for the image of the borough...and that means the environmental review on the (475-acre Staten Island Marine Development site) is positive, which allows for more development there," he added.

FUNDING ALLOCATION A FIRST STEP

In response to the $6 million allocation, Ottoway said: "We are very pleased with the enthusiastic support we have received at all state, city, and local levels, and are hopeful that together we will find a path through the necessary reviews that will accommodate our needs."

The total cost of the 200,000-square-foot facility on Staten Island is $70 million and its creation would bring more 140 jobs to Staten Island.

Only about 20 percent of the company's beer production is done in the borough it's named after, with the other 80 percent taking place in Utica. The Staten Island location would allow the brewery to expand its operations, holding up to 1 million barrels on 20 to 25 acres.

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