The Griffin Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of a micro-brewery or micro-distillery in downtown Griffin at its workshop Tuesday morning.

Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Adam Causey said several businesses want to come to downtown Griffin and one of them is a manufacturer of alcohol that could bring 10 to 15 jobs. However, the alcohol ordinance in its current form allows the manufacturing of alcohol only in industrial zones.

Causey said this ordinance may be obsolete — in the revival of other downtowns, small alcohol manufacturers played a role. A micro-brewery or a “brew-pub” might not be that large. One recently established in Hampton was only 4,000 square feet.

Commissioner Joanne Todd asked if this is even an issue — she thought the business in question had already decided to go to Butts County. Causey said that decision has not been made and it is possible the business owner is talking to both entities to get the best possible deal.

Commissioner Dick Morrow said bringing this business to Griffin would be a great opportunity and suggested the ordinance be revised.

Todd asked Causey if there is a set of ingredients that is permissible. She does not object to an alcohol manufacturer coming to town but warned Causey that some pretty strange proposals might show up. Causey said alcohol manufacturing is fairly heavily regulated at the federal level — a distillery, for example, cannot sell on-site, even samples. However, even a distillery could be a tourist attraction.

“I think this is an interesting opportunity,” Commissioner Ryan McLemore said.

He said if Griffin competes with the city of Jackson to get the business, it could create local varieties of alcohol — a “Doc Holliday” brand similar to Sam Adams, for example. Morrow suggested a “General Griffin” brand.

Morrow said limiting the revision of the ordinance to downtown might be better politically, as people might be concerned about it going into their neighborhoods.

Griffin Mayor Cynthia Reid Ward said that the northern part of Griffin, like the area around Wal-Mart or Kroger, would be a good potential site as well.

“I have no problem with it,” she said, provided it doesn’t go into a neighborhood.

Commissioner Will Evans said the residents on the north side might not want alcohol manufacturing there but they should at least have the option.