West Virginia retailers will are able to place bids on 135 available liquor licenses during phase 2 of the 2010 competitve liquor license bid process, which started on Feb. 22 and runs until 5 p.m. on April 17, 2010. The licenses are only available to retail outlets.

West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration spokesman Gig Robinson said that the bidding process creates new revenue opportunities for the state and for retail business owners to expand their operations. “The liquor industry continues to grow with new products, and from a retail perspective sales have continued to increase,” said Robinson in a phone interview on Tuesday. “This will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state, plus opportunities for local businesses to sell liquor for the next ten years.”

The liquor license bid process occurs once every 10 years, as mandated by state law. In 1990, West Virginia privatized the retail sale of spirits. While retail sales went private, the WVABCA continues to distribute distilled spirits. The next 10 year cycle begins on July 1, 2010 and runs through June 30, 2020.

A total of 181 retail licenses have been made available. During phase one of the process, 46 free standing liquor retailers accepted an option to bypass the bid process, purchasing the licenses outright.

– For information or a retail bid packet: www.abca.wv.gov or call 1 (800) 642-8208.