Kentucky whiskey, spirits maker buys southern Indiana mill

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A Kentucky company that’s a top maker of whiskey and other spirits is buying a southern Indiana lumber mill that will turn out wooden segments for its bourbon barrels.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Brown-Forman Corp. will spend $12 million to buy and expand that Owen County mill.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1MSxLu8 ) the 15,000-square-foot mill in Spencer  will be expanded and 50 people hired to run it.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Brown-Forman up to $350,000 in state tax credits if it creates the promised jobs. The mill will make wooden staves and end pieces for the company’s bourbon barrels.

Brown-Forman was founded in 1870 and has a long history of barrel-making. It sells 25 wine and spirit brands, including Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort.