Green Flash Brewing Co. Co-founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley announced that Virginia Beach-based developers, The Miller Group, will lead both development and construction of the Green Flash East Coast brewery in Virginia Beach, located at Corporate Landing and General Booth Blvd. Green Flash execs selected The Miller Group because of the company’s solid history as a Virginia Beach-based developer with fully integrated capabilities and extensive experience in building industrial and manufacturing facilities. The Miller Group’s community connections will ensure that subcontracting and other project needs will be primarily outsourced to Virginia Beach locals, another determining factor that was of importance to the Green Flash team.
The Miller Group estimates that more than 250 Virginia Beach area residents will have a hand in building the 58,000-square-foot brewing facility from groundbreaking to finish. After the construction is complete, Green Flash will create permanent jobs for more than 40 people in the region. Surrounding the project is positive speculation on the long-term economic benefits that the city and residents of Virginia Beach will reap from the Green Flash brewery’s presence.
Mike Hinkley, co-founder and chief executive officer of Green Flash, and Tim Harkins, president of The Miller Group, met while Hinkley was in the early stages of seeking a location for their 2nd brewery. While Green Flash was investigating Virginia Beach as a possibility, The Miller Group was extremely helpful, and the leaders developed a comfortable working relationship.
“The Miller Group championed Virginia Beach and the community,” states Hinkley with regards to the decision. “They are genuinely interested in fostering both economic and cultural growth to directly benefit residents.” Because of their solid experience and locally focused intentions, I completely trust The Miller Group as our on-site Virginia Beach liaison, confident that their team will work well with our existing engineering advisors as well as choose Virginia-based contractors to see the project to fruition.”
While there will be immediate job opportunities for local contractors when they break ground, and permanent brewery jobs upon opening, The Miller Group is most excited about the long- term impact Green Flash may have on the city in other areas.
“Green Flash will have a tremendous impact on Virginia Beach and the entire Hampton Roads area,” says Whit Hill, vice president of The Miller Group. “It is a slam dunk from a real estate, economic and cultural perspective. Green Flash’s presence in Virginia Beach is certain to revitalize the immediate area and beyond, and we are excited to be a part of this new chapter for Virginia Beach.”
“This announcement is a major step in the development of this project, and brings Green Flash one step closer to expanding their East Coast customer base,” said Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development. “This addition to Corporate Landing will not only bring new jobs and visitors to Virginia Beach, but will propel this area of the city into even more growth. Green Flash’s presence in Virginia Beach speaks volumes about the vibrant economic climate here.”
Green Flash announced the Virginia Beach brewery location in March 2013, and The Miller Group has noticed an uptick in interest from out-of-town businesses looking closely at Virginia Beach as a location for development, specifically in the area immediately surrounding the future brewery site. The developers are also seeing a surge in craft beer interest among locals, with crowds flocking to establishments that feature Green Flash and other craft brews. This emerging interest among residents is expected to increase exponentially when the brewery opens.
As the end of the high season in Virginia Beach draws near, Green Flash will create a valuable new draw for both visitors and locals alike. The Miller Group predicts that Green Flash will become a destination for a whole new generation of tourists who are interested in craft beer. While it is impossible to predict what will happen after the brewery opens, Green Flash and The Miller Group are enthusiastic about the potential impact the new destination may have on Virginia Beach in the long and short term. The craft beer tourist demographic will demand a range of other supporting businesses and this domino effect could be tremendous for economic growth in Virginia Beach.
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