The makers of Chattanooga Whiskey get plenty of support for their push to bring a distillery to Hamilton County.
People packed the county commission meeting this morning to stand with the two men behind the local liquor.
News 12's Nordia Epps has both sides of the story.
If these people have their way ... Chattanooga Whiskey will be made in Chattanooga.
They poured into the Hamilton County Commission meeting Thursday morning to show their support.
Lon Eldridge says, "Iit would be great to have this company in Chattanooga because it's called Chattanooga Whiskey. They should be making it in Chattanooga."
Joe Ledbetter and Tim Piersant made a plea that commissioners appeal to state lawmakers who can change the law allowing a distillery in Hamilton County.
Ledbetter, says, "We wanted supporters to come out which happened. We wanted to speak our piece about why this is good for economic... jobs and tourism stand point and we wanted to at least hear a little bit from the commissioners of a voice of support. So I think we got all three of those things so I'm very happy."
But opponent Mark West made a different plea...for commissioners to vote their conscience.
He's worried about unintended consequences.
Mark West, "What messages are we sending to our community in general but even more specifically to our younger still impressionable minds."
Now a letter will be drafted with an unbinding resolution supporting a local distillery.
Six commissioners must approve the letter for it to be sent to the state.
Warren Mackey and Joe Graham know where they stand.
Graham says, "Yes I would whole heartedly support this. I would support changing this law to make this happen."
But that's only the first step in a long process.
After the state responds the issue must then come back to the commission for a vote.
State representative Richard Floyd says he's against a local distillery.
