The New York State Distillers Guild, the trade association of distilled spirits producers in New York State, releases its 2020 Economic Impact Study of the state’s distilled spirits industry, which found the industry supports an economic output of $4.4 billion, of which $3.2 billion impacts New York State directly.

In addition, the distilled spirits in New York created 11,540 full-time jobs.

New York State’s 160 distilleries alone directly employ more than 1,350 people (full-time equivalent), paying $348.6 million in wages and benefits, and generating $2.7 billion in economic activity, according to a news release.

The study was prepared by John Dunham & Associates (JDA) and evaluates the contributions of New York’s distilling industry from 2019-June 2020 across several focus areas, including manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and retail. (It’s important to note it encompasses findings from both 2019 and 2020 data prior to Covid-19.)

“The study documents what members of our industry and communities have long known – New York State’s distilleries are important drivers of economic growth,” Brian Facquet, President of the New York State Distillers Guild and Founder of Do Good Spirits in Roscoe, N.Y., said in the news release. “Our distilleries are a powerhouse of economic potential. We are positively contributing to our economy by providing well-paying jobs for thousands of New Yorkers.”

The study and executive summary can be found by clicking here.