Representatives from state officials got their fill of the diverse businesses around the county, visiting diverse locations such as Ludowici Tile and Cooper Standard and Trotter’s in New Lexington.

The tour, consisting of representatives of Governor John Kasich, Auditor Dave Yost, Congressman Steve Stivers and Attorney General Mike DeWine made the trip hosted by John Ulmer, Director of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce.

New Straitsville was the first stop on the tour, the group visiting the Straitsville Special distillery. Owner Doug Nutter gave the group both a tour of the distillery and a lesson in New Straitsville history, particularly how the village turned from coal mining to moonshine in the late 1880’s after a labor dispute led to fire in the mine that continues to burn more than a century later.

“Some guys who worked in the mine, probably after having some local shine, set a coal car on fire and then sent it into the mine,” Nutter told the group. “The (coal) company moved on after that.”

Nutter explained that water unique to the New Straitsville area contributes to the taste of the product, “Out water is different than city water. If you were to make our product anywhere else it would not taste the same.”

Nutter also explained the largest burden facing his business is a near 50-percent tax rate. “Between state and federal taxes it’s 47.5 percent, for every bottle sold for $20 we make about $10.”

From Nutter’s store in New Straitsville, the group moved north to New Lexington to visit Ludowici Tile and Cooper Standard in New Lexington, learning about the history and prospects of each facility.

“This is the kind of information we like to take back to Columbus,” said Kathleen young, a representative of Governor Kasich. “It gives the governor more information and ways to go about helping small and local businesses.”