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Statesboro council approves local distillery license ordinance amid public opposition
Summary
The Statesboro City Council approved an ordinance to allow a local distilled-spirit license for downtown microdistilleries after staff explanation and council discussion, despite multiple public speakers urging denial over public-safety concerns.
The Statesboro City Council on first/second reading approved Ordinance 2025-O9 to add a local distilled-alcohol license classification allowing on-site consumption and package sales for qualifying microdistilleries. Mayor Jonathan McCallum presided over the meeting where residents urged the council to reject the change.
The ordinance would add a new license classification to chapter 6 (Alcoholic Beverages) and tie city licensing to state production and sales limits referenced in the meeting as OCGA 34 3 4 24 2 and 3 5 36; it also would require that a distillery derive at least 40% of annual gross food-and-beverage sales from prepared meals for certain local fee determinations. Kane (staff member) explained the measure was brought because state law allows small distilleries while the city code did not currently enable them.
The measure drew two public commenters who urged denial. Greg Callaway said he “strongly oppose[d] the proposed ordinance” because it would permit both on-site consumption and off-site bottle sales and, he argued, could increase violent crime and strain public-safety resources. Michael Spacy warned against adopting policies that, in his view, could attract nightlife that leads to higher crime and social problems.
A council member who identified long service to the community said after weighing the issue she was confident public-safety and enforcement capacity had improved and supported the ordinance. Following discussion the council moved, seconded and voted to approve; the motion passed and the ordinance was adopted.
Discussion versus decision: public comment and council discussion focused on community character, public-safety impacts and comparisons to other cities; staff explained the ordinance text and its link to state production limits. The final action was a council vote approving Ordinance 2025-O9.
The city did not publish an impact study at the meeting addressing projected public-safety calls or fiscal effects tied specifically to this license; speakers urged such an analysis prior to approval. The council vote means the city code now contains a local distillery license classification consistent with the language explained at the meeting; implementation details and permit issuance will follow city procedures.
