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WineEastNews Effects of Maryland Chain Stores Studied Increase in wine and liquor sales could result in $100 million and 500 jobs annually, report says B altimore, Md.—With the end of Prohibition in 1933, every state developed its own set of rules and regulations regarding alcohol. Maryland was one of the states that tightly controlled the sale of alcoholic beverages and, with one exception, has not allowed them in chain stores, including grocery stores. What would happen if that restriction were lifted? An economic impact consulting firm recently tried to answer that question. Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws, a consumer advocacy group located Maryland drug stores and grocery stores in Baltimore, Md., are prohibited from selling wine and liquor. winesandvines.com commissioned Sage Learn more: Search keywords The findings of Sage's report, "The EcoPolicy Group Inc. to "Maryland chain." nomic and Fiscal Impacts of Better Wine & conduct an economic Beer Policy in Maryland," were as follows: impact report projecting what would hap• ine and beer sales in chain stores would W pen if chain retailers could sell beer and H&W_Dec10.qxpstate. 10/12/10 10:59 AM Page 1 have an economic impact in the state apwine within the proaching $100 million per year. Upfront licensing fees would generate $72 million for the state of Maryland, and the permanent/annual fiscal impacts would be in excess of $22 million. • aryland would see a net increase of M 5.5% in annual beer consumption and a 6.5% increase in wine consumption. • he number of jobs created directly and T indirectly by expanded sales activity would approach 500, the report states. In 1978, Maryland repealed a provision in the law that permitted one chain store in each county to sell alcoholic beverages, basically forcing Marylanders to purchase wine and beer at liquor stores. Subsequent bills to expand alcohol sales to chain stores have died. Read the full economic impact study online at mbbwl.com. —Hudson Cattell and Linda Jones McKee Virginia Tech names extension enologist B lacksburg, Va.—Molly Kelly joined Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., as enology extension specialist in the Food Science and Technology Department on Dec. 25. Previously she held the position of enology instructor at Surry Community College in Dobson, N.C., winesandvines.com Learn more: where she had developed the enology curricuSearch keywords lum and managed all aspects of the college's "Molly Kelly." 1,000-case bonded winery. According to her job description, Kelly is expected to develop and implement an extension program for Virginia grape and wine producers. She will also support the growth and development of the Virginia wine industry through educational programs and applied research that provides an educational bridge between vineyard practices and wine production practices that directly impact wine quality. Kelly is currently completing a Ph.D. in food science and told Wine East, "It is an honor to be part of the Virginia wine industry and helping to serve its needs." She plans to visit all 230 wineries in the state to identify their needs. The overall goal is to improve wine quality so that Virginia wines achieve global recognition and, at the same time, find ways to lower production costs. —Hudson Cattell and Linda Jones McKee 72 W in es & V i ne s F E B R UARY 20 13