Diageo USVI, the Virgin Islands’ newest rum distiller, announced today the grand opening of its rum distillery in St. Croix that will produce rum for Captain Morgan in the United States. Diageo USVI also announced that it will invest $5 million to build a visitor center at the distillery, located at Renaissance Park on St. Croix.
U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Donna Christensen, said that “today’s grand opening event is a reminder of how Diageo has delivered on its promises, and underscores the strength of our mutually beneficial relationship. I am confident this is the first day in the next chapter of the ongoing and productive partnership between Diageo and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To mark the grand opening of the distillery, Captain Morgan and the “Morganettes” had a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site. Governor deJongh and Paul Walsh, CEO of Diageo plc, signed rum barrels to commemorate the opening as well. Three time capsules were buried on the distillery site, to be opened ten, twenty, and thirty years from today. A documentary on the distillery construction project was also viewed.
The construction of the 20 million proof galloon rum distillery began in August 2009, and will generate an estimated $130 million in new tax revenue for the Virgin Islands Government. Diageo USVI has committed that at least 80 percent of the employees at the distillery will be from the Virgin Islands, and the company has more than 60 full-time jobs to support the operation and management of the distillery.
