Frank Eaton, candidate for State Representative in Tennessee House District 27, saidd he supports allowing businesses in Hamilton County to distill liquor.
“We can already legally sell and responsibly drink a product with Chattanooga’s name on it right here in Hamilton County. ‘Chattanooga Whiskey’ should be made in Chattanooga,” said Mr. Eaton.
State law allows county commissions to approve liquor production in counties that already allow its sale in restaurants and stores. Hamilton County is currently excluded from the law.
“Distilling these products locally would bring jobs, business development, tax revenue, and tourism opportunities to our city. It just doesn’t make sense to force local businesses to manufacture their products in another state due to an outdated Tennessee law,” Mr. Eaton said. “If elected, I’ll work toward including Hamilton County in the law allowing liquor production.”
“My opponent has stated he’d oppose any legislation favoring alcohol due to his personal convictions,” said Mr. Eaton. “I believe a state representative should listen to all constituents and do what’s best for the district. In this case, we need jobs and economic expansion, and the question of consuming alcohol in our county is already settled.”
“I favor allowing local businesses to create their product here employing local workers and boosting our local economy. My opponent would rather sacrifice jobs and local businesses so that he can impose his personal opinions on the rest of Hamilton County.”
Without agreement from lawmakers, the only other option is a local referendum.
“Instead of standing in the way of businesses and forcing the issue to be settled by a local referendum, our state representatives should be supporting job creation, free enterprise and economic development,” Mr. Eaton said. “That’s exactly what I’m supporting, and if elected, I’ll work to make it happen.”
Tennessee House District 27 spans western Hamilton County including Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, St. Elmo, Signal Mountain, Fairmount, Walden, Mountain Creek, Red Bank, Hixson, Falling Water, Flat Top Mountain, Mowbray Mountain, Soddy Daisy, and Bakewell.