Amherst Historic Mill will be turned into a hydro-powered brewery

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ7) The 200-year-old Historic Mill of Amherst Milling Company is getting new owners and a face-lift.

Waukeshaw Development, a Petersburg-based company, purchased the Mill and will re purpose it into the country's first hydro-powered brewery, making use of the Mill's old water wheel.

The Mill has been owned by the same family since 1941, providing Amherst County residents with many products including hay, feed, and flour.

The development company's president, Dave McCormack, plans to keep the building preserved while bringing in new elements. In addition to the brewery, he hopes to maintain the Mill's upper level to give tours.

"This wonderful mill might just go out of existence, period," said Victoria Hanson, Executive Director of the Amherst Economic Development Authority. "And instead, we're going to have this new creative idea that's going to bring a lot of people to Amherst County."

The mill will be closing July 6th, and the family will be holding auctions to sell the rest of the inventory. The brewery hopes to be open by this time next year.