ANKENY – In fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30th, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) had a record-breaking year in sales and funds generated for the State. The agency collected and generated a record $119.5 million while focusing on evaluating delivery processes, facility infrastructures and technologies to find efficiencies and prepare for growth. For the third year in a row, the administration put great emphasis on education and outreach for licensees, partners, stakeholders and citizens.
“This past year was dedicated to improving processes and laying the groundwork to achieve results over the next decade,” said ABD Administrator Stephen Larson. “ABD’s education and outreach efforts are showing results with positive compliance trends in both alcohol and tobacco.”
Total spirits sales were nearly $256 million, $21 million or 5.6 percent over the previous year, and the highest since fiscal year 1988 when the state became the exclusive wholesaler of spirits. In addition to revenue from spirits profits, funds generated by excise taxes, license fees and civil penalties also increased.
The majority of this money is transferred to the State General Fund to be appropriated by the legislature for a variety of state programs. Nearly $19 million was generated for substance abuse programs. Cities and counties received more than $3.6 million to support local programs and the remaining funds are used for Iowa native wine and beer promotion.
The increased sales trend has continued into the current fiscal year with gross sales up 1.7 percent or $1.6 million for the first four months. In fiscal year 2013, the ABD implemented projects to allow for productivity enhancement and improved space utilization, creating the opportunity to increase selection for consumers.
The ABD continues to move forward with a focus on education and compliance initiatives. “We serve not only the liquor licensee, but the entire state of Iowa. It’s our duty to ensure that we’re doing what we can to protect the public by monitoring trends, creating opportunities for community partnership, and educating both licensees and the public about the responsible use and distribution of alcohol,” said Claire Celsi, Chair of the Alcoholic Beverages Commission.
The ABD has taken a broad approach to educating retailers, industry members, law enforcement, local officials and citizens regarding issues ranging from prevention initiatives to compliance with laws. This year the ABD commenced holding town hall meetings in each county to educate and increase communications between the agency, local authorities and retailers. Educational materials were also sent to retailers in March advising of training opportunities and best practices for preventing sales to underage during prom and graduation season. For the first time, April was officially declared Alcohol Awareness Month in the state of Iowa by a proclamation from Governor Terry E. Branstad.
ABD’s fiscal year 2013 Annual Report is available online at IowaABD.com. Financial figures have not yet been audited.
The state will sell you alcohol, but put you in jail for pot. Just another reason why Iowa sucks.
If the public doesn’t see the hypocrisy in all this then it’s time to move to a state that does.
Would you like help packing. I know a lot of people who would be willing to help. Please don’t tease us.
Some cities in Minnesota even have municipal retail liquor stores. The liquor store is owned by the city and they will not allow publicly owned off sale liquor retail in the city at all. Fairmont Minnesota is an example of this, the city of Fairmont makes all the profits off of the off sale retail liquor in that city from the municipal owned liquor store. Talk about a monopoly! They have no competition, they’re the only player in town.
@Viking-we used to have state owned liquor stores in Iowa and at one time it was the only place to get booze. You could buy 3.2% beer but nothing else.
There shouldn’t even be an “Alcoholic Beverage Division.” Government has no business being in the alcohol business.
I have to agree with the Ghost, alcohol is big money. Just think how much money the state could make if they legalized marijuana. Whooa, where’s my medicine…
There you have it folks: Alcohol=BIG MONEY. And this doesn’t account for the revenue taken in on the law enforcement side of things: public intoxication, OWI’s etc.
No wonder the players involved with the alcohol industry don’t want marijuana or other substances cutting into their business. And yes I acknowledge that marijuana is more of a medicine, not of the same class as alcohol.