Contributed by Trey Hess P.E., Principal/Marketing Director, PPM Consultants
I had a chance to sit down recently with one of PPM’s Brownfield Project Managers, Ben Lightsey of our Jackson office, to unpack the complexities of a special brownfield redevelopment project we were fortunate to be a part of. Bringing this project to life took time—just as whiskey must age to develop character, brownfield sites need thoughtful planning, environmental due diligence, and a little patience to reach their full potential. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where blues music first wailed and the muddy waters of the river still whisper stories of centuries past, something new—and spirited—is brewing. Once home to bustling factories and whispered legends of bootleg whiskey, the town of Rosedale is now raising a glass to its future. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of a local visionary dynamic duo, environmental and finance consultants, investors, the area planning district, and local government, the former AMPCO manufacturing site has been reborn as the Rosedale Distilling Company—an endeavor that blends environmental assessment, economic revitalization, and a good dose of Mississippi heritage.
Raising the Spirits of a Delta Town
From 2019 to 2023, PPM Consultants played a key role in facilitating the transition of a 15-acre brownfield site into a vibrant hub of bourbon-making and tourism. Serving as Project Manager, Ben Lightsey led environmental assessments under the South Delta Planning & Development District’s EPA Brownfield Assessment grant. The site, once home to AMPCO Manufacturing and long dormant, was rife with potential—and contamination concerns.
Brownfields, by definition, are properties where redevelopment is complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. The Rosedale site was no exception. But where others may have seen only liability, PPM, the visionaries, and their partners saw opportunity. “We knew the site had historic value and community potential,” said Lightsey. “But first, they had to clear the environmental hurdles.”
PPM conducted Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) of the property as well as an asbestos inspection across the 166,000 square feet of aging industrial buildings. These evaluations included collecting and analyzing soil and groundwater samples for pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons-diesel range organics (TPH-DRO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), and trichloroethene. Our findings were pivotal in guiding risk management and cleanup strategies—ensuring safety for future use.
This detailed assessment not only gave Jack and Elizabeth Coleman—the visionary local investors and entrepreneurs—confidence to move forward but also helped secure critical financing. The project had to demonstrate direct community benefit, and Rosedale Distilling Company ticked all the boxes: job creation, historic preservation, and economic stimulation.
A Toast to History, Tourism, and Community
Rosedale Distilling Company is more than a distillery; it’s a cultural and economic revival wrapped in amber hues of whiskey and gin. With an estimated $23.15 million investment, including building renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and equipment installation, the project is slated to create 57 new jobs within five years of its completion this year. That’s no small feat for a rural Mississippi town of fewer than 2,000 people.
The distillery, which will produce premium whiskey, gin, and other craft spirits, is expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors annually. Its design includes not only production facilities but also a tasting room, a distillery store, and an on-site museum. The museum will celebrate the region’s colorful past—honoring Mississippi River explorers like Hernando de Soto, Marquette and Joliet, and La Salle, alongside iconic Rosedale figures such as blues pioneer Robert Johnson and Senator Blanche K. Bruce, the only former slave to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate and the first African American to preside over the Senate in 1879.
Coleman envisions the project as a cornerstone of Delta tourism. In interviews, he’s described the distillery as “an anchor for Rosedale’s renaissance,” where history, hospitality, and high-quality spirits converge. Visitors won’t just sip whiskey; they’ll experience the Delta’s soul—from bootlegging tales to blues ballads.
Environmental Challenges, Economic Triumphs
Redeveloping a brownfield is never easy. Legacy contamination from industrial activity often hides underground, particularly in groundwater, presenting both logistical and financial challenges. But this is where PPM Consultants shines.
Through decades of experience in soil and groundwater assessment and remediation, PPM has built a reputation for turning environmental barriers into stepping stones. For Rosedale, our work helped stakeholders understand environmental liabilities, plan responsibly, and meet regulatory requirements. This ability to “Simplify the Complex” made the site viable for lending institutions and investors alike.
PPM’s involvement didn’t end with paperwork. They also provided technical guidance through the EPA Brownfield Assessment grant process, ensuring compliance with environmental standards while aligning with community impact goals. Their expertise was essential in bridging the gap between government funding mechanisms and private sector investment.
As Lightsey explains, “It’s not just about assessing a site. It’s about enabling transformation. You assess, and in the process, you clear the way for hope, jobs, and pride to return.”
Reviving More Than a Site
The Rosedale Distilling Company’s story is emblematic of what brownfield redevelopment can achieve when handled with care, vision, and community focus. Beyond the physical restoration of a derelict factory, the project is revitalizing an entire town.
According to the Mississippi Development Authority, this is one of the most ambitious and culturally integrated distillery projects in the state. And its impacts will be long-lasting—generating tourism dollars, boosting local businesses, and offering meaningful employment to residents.
It also sets a precedent. Other Delta towns with dormant industrial properties are already watching Rosedale closely. If bourbon and brownfields can mix here, why not elsewhere?
Pouring One Out—for the Past, and One Up—for the Future
As Rosedale Distilling Company prepares to open its doors, it invites the world to experience something rare: a blend of rich history, Southern hospitality, and modern innovation—all distilled into every bottle.
PPM Consultants didn’t just assess contaminants; we helped uncork a new chapter for a community that has long been overlooked. Where factories once rumbled and silence later lingered, the air will now be filled with the scent of oak barrels and the sound of clinking glasses. With offices throughout the Southeast, we continue to promote sustainable redevelopment practices. Our work in Rosedale joins a growing portfolio of successful brownfield-to-business transformations—each one a story of renewal, resilience, and reinvention.
So the next time you pour a glass of bourbon, consider this: inside that amber swirl may lie the spirit of a place reborn, the fruit of a redeveloped site, and the toast of a town that never gave up. Cheers! If you want to talk brownfields (or bourbon) reach out any time at trey.hess@ppmco.com.