We’re excited by Capitol Broadcasting’s dreams of creating a handcrafted brewery community in the historic Rocky Mount Mills property on Falls Road.

As reported by business writer John Henderson in Sunday’s edition of the Rocky Mount Telegram, Capitol hopes to attract a group of beer artisans who would not only work in microbreweries inside the former textile mill, but live in the mill village of surrounding houses, as well.

Microbreweries might be a new concept for Rocky Mount but not for North Carolina.

Breweries in Asheville, the Triad, the Triangle and nearby Whiteville have made names for themselves among beer aficionados.

The Tarboro Brewing Co. has plans to open just down the road from Rocky Mount, too.

A facility of the kind envisioned by Capitol would benefit the Rocky Mount community in several ways. In addition to the creation of jobs and tax base growth, microbreweries could attract more tourists to the area.

The brew mill is very much in the planning and marketing stage at this point, and much needs to be done before the doors to such a facility will open. But Capitol’s idea is a breath of fresh air – and fun – for this community.

Here’s hoping for a successful launch and a long-term recipe for success for many years to come.