Pictured is the area where an expansion is planned at the Blackrocks Brewery Production Facility on Washington Street in Marquette. The building will be expanded to occupy the area occupied by the silo and vehicles. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)

MARQUETTE — As the craft beer industry grows rapidly throughout the U.S., production demands increase, which is why Blackrocks Brewery of Marquette is expanding its production facility, owners say.

Statistics prove Michiganders like beer. So much, in fact, that Michigan’s craft beer industry contributed nearly $2.1 billion to its economy in 2016, according to the Brewers Association, a national organization that represents small and independent craft brewers in the U.S.

To meet increasing production demands, Blackrocks owners David Manson and Andy Langlois will add a 24-by-24-feet expansion to the north side of their production facility, located at 950 W. Washington St., which will house more brewing fermenters.

“This is basically just an expansion of our current production — unless we can talk the city into selling us the alley, this might be the only thing we’ll be able to do on the north side of the building,” Manson said. “If we do need to expand again in the future there is possibility to expand on the front side of the building but this was the quickest and probably best production fit for us.”

In a Dec. 8 letter addressed to Manson, Marquette’s Fire Inspector Tom Dunleavy said the production site and proposed addition had been reviewed and was recommended for approval by the fire department.

At its regular meeting on Jan. 9 the Marquette Planning Commission unanimously approved the project, which is estimated to take two months to complete and slated to begin in spring. Chairman Taylor Klipp arrived later at the meeting, but was not present for the vote.

Planning Commissioner Bridgette Jaakola asked Manson and Langlois if they would be able to stay in the current location for long since the business seems to be “growing leaps and bounds.”

“That’s a million dollar question I guess,” Manson replied. “If it becomes something problematic for future expansion, you know, those are things we’ll have to reconsider whether or not we’ll stay in the city.”

Langlois said Blackrocks is trying to meet its current demand but it’s hard to tell what the future holds for the business.

“Just to put it in perspective, it’s been four years over there (and) it’s just been steady growth,” he said. “So right now what we’re trying to do is meet our current demand and just try to make a point to not get too far ahead of ourselves, even though looking in that crystal ball, I wish I knew, … but right now, we think that’s going to meet our current means. As far as growing means, we ask ourselves if that makes sense or if the market will allow us to do that eventually. Right now that just seems to really make sense to us and we’d like to stay in the city.”

According to information provided at the meeting, the addition will be constructed in an existing gravel driveway and will cover an existing garage door opening. The opening proposed for this structure will be a man door at the east side of the addition. No additional noise or activity will be generated at the completion of this project, meeting materials state.

Blackrocks Brewery currently distributes its beer statewide in Michigan and in parts of Wisconsin.

“There is no immediate plan to expand distribution,” Langlois said in an email.

Jaymie Depew can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is jdepew@miningjournal.net.