Ohio wine and grape industry contributes millions to state's economy
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio wine and grape industry today released its 2008 economic impact report, which finds that Ohio’s grape and wine industry has a significant impact of more than $580 million on the state’s economy.
Highlights of the report include:
• In 2008, the Ohio wine and grape industry had an economic impact of $582.8 million.
• The Ohio grape and wine industry employed more than 4,000 people in 2008, providing a payroll of $124.2 million.
• The Ohio grape and wine industry contributed an estimated $62 million back in state, local and federal tax revenue.
“With 65 percent of Ohio wineries established in the past decade, the Ohio wine and grape industry is thriving,” said Robert Boggs, Ohio Department of Agriculture director and chairman of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. “Its continued growth and success helps to provide jobs and revenue for Ohio’s agriculture industry.”
The number of Ohio wineries has grown from 124 in 2008 to 143 in 2010, and wine production increased nearly 500,000 gallons from 2006 to 2008.
The Economic Impact report was commissioned and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. The committee was created in 1982 and operates in-part through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, providing marketing and research opportunities to Ohio’s wineries and vineyards. The committee helps increase consumer awareness of Ohio’s modern, high-quality wine industry.