Suffolk County and Suffolk County IDA Approve Transaction for Matchbook Distilling Company

Hauppauge, NY (January 28, 2016) - The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency has approved a transaction to assist Matchbook Distilling Company in establishing an alcohol distillery on the North Fork in Greenport. The IDA’s incentive package will support the company in purchasing four buildings and equipment, as well as renovating the facility.

“This innovative project will be a welcome addition to the County,” said Joanne Minieri, Deputy County Executive and Commissioner of Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning and Chair of the IDA Board. “Along with creating jobs, the company plans to work with local farmers, assisting them in producing their own spirits while providing discounted accesses to distillers and expert advice on launching their own distilling businesses.”

Matchbook Distilling Company was founded by Leslie Merinoff and Brian Kwasnieski, two East End residents; Leslie grew up in Suffolk County, working on Quail Hill Farm on the South Fork. With an understanding of Suffolk County agriculture and the distilling industry, the company plans to assist start-ups by both lessening the burden of entry and raising the quality of the product by supporting a true farm-to-bottle and small batch system.

“We are passionate about working with farmers to bottle the flavors of Suffolk County,” said Ms. Merinoff, co-founder of Matchbook Distilling Company. “Farm distilleries are part of the state’s agricultural future, and we want to help farmers get there comfortably and in control of their own businesses.”

With the purchase of four buildings in Greenport, NY, the company plans to highlight Suffolk County’s agriculture, support new businesses in distilling operations and create 11 jobs over its first two years of operation. The proposed location on 230 Corwin Street in Greenport consists of four existing buildings totaling 35,779 square feet, which will be renovated and outfitted as a state-of-the-art distillery for a total cost of $2,724,000.

“Matchbook Distilling Company will support the County’s agriculture by helping farmers turn their high-quality produce, often sold for cents per pound, into high-end spirits worth up to thousands of times that amount,” said Tony Catapano, Executive Director of the Suffolk IDA.

The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is a public benefit corporation of the State of New York. The purpose of the agency is to promote economic development within Suffolk County. The operations of the agency are not supported by taxpayer funds, but rather fees generated by the applicants. The Suffolk County IDA works in synergy with Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone and the Deputy County Executive and Commissioner of Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning Joanne Minieri to foster positive economic development within the County. For more information regarding the Suffolk County IDA log on to www.suffolkida.org.