Arielle Cruz
In 2021, Graham County, North Carolina, was the state's last dry county. In November of that year, residents voted on whether to allow beer and wine sales in the county for the first time in over 70 years. The referendum was a highly contested topic, with some citing economic benefits and others expressing concerns about health risks and abuse. The results were close, with some questions passing by as little as two votes. Although the official results were pending mail-in ballots, it appeared that Graham County would soon start selling alcohol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| County | Graham |
| State | North Carolina |
| Date of Election | Tuesday, November 2021 |
| Type of Election | Ballot |
| Election Results | Beer and wine sales approved |
| Number of Ballot Questions | 7 |
| Number of Votes for Alcohol Sales | Passed by as little as 2 votes |
| Past Alcohol Sales in County | Outlawed for more than 70 years |
| Current Alcohol Sales in County | Only at outlying resorts |
| Economic Development Director | Sophia Paulos |
| Unemployment Rate | Dropped from 8.6% to 6.5% |
| Sales Tax Revenues | 64% increase |
| Occupancy Tax Revenues | Nearly doubled |
| Population | 700 |
| Past Issues with Alcohol in County | Crime, poverty, food insecurity |
| Current Issues with Alcohol in County | Abuse, accidents, drunk driving |
| Future Plans for County | More tax revenue, jobs, and tourists |
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What You'll Learn
- Graham County voters approved seven ballot questions to allow beer and wine sales
- Alcohol sales could encourage tourism and increase tax revenue
- Some residents worry about the health risks and impact on the community
- Pastors and religious conservatives have preached against the referendum
- Alcohol sales in Graham County have been outlawed for over 70 years
Graham County voters approved seven ballot questions to allow beer and wine sales
In the 2021 elections, voters in Graham County, North Carolina, approved seven ballot questions that would allow beer and wine sales in the county. This was a significant decision, as Graham County had not permitted alcohol sales since 1948, making it the last dry county in North Carolina.
The ballot questions were narrowly passed, with some questions passing by as little as two votes. The official results were pending the counting of any outstanding mail-in ballots.
The decision to allow alcohol sales in Graham County was driven by economic considerations. Sophia Paulos, the county's economic development director, argued that alcohol sales would encourage tourists to stay longer in Robbinsville and increase spending, resulting in higher county occupancy and sales taxes. Improved unemployment numbers and new businesses in the county over the previous five years also contributed to the decision.
However, the referendum was a sensitive issue for many residents, with some expressing concerns about the potential negative impacts on health and safety. Some residents shared personal stories of how alcoholism had affected their families, while others worried about a potential increase in drunk driving and accidents.
Despite these concerns, the approval of the ballot questions signaled a shift in Graham County, with residents recognizing the economic potential of alcohol sales and the changing dynamics of the community.
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Alcohol sales could encourage tourism and increase tax revenue
In November 2021, voters in Graham County, North Carolina, approved seven ballot questions that would allow beer and wine to be sold in the county. Graham County was the last dry county in the state.
The referendum was a contentious issue, with residents concerned about the potential health risks and negative impact on the community if alcohol sales were permitted. Some residents also worried that the county could return to the violence and substance abuse problems of the 1940s. However, supporters of the referendum argued that it would bring economic benefits to the county, including increased tourism and tax revenue.
Indeed, Graham County's Economic Development Director, Sophia Paulos, believes that alcohol sales will encourage tourists to stay longer in Robbinsville and spend more money in town, resulting in higher county occupancy and sales taxes. Paulos also pointed to improved unemployment numbers and new businesses in the county over the past five years, indicating a positive direction for the local economy.
The potential for increased tax revenue is significant, as Graham County has already experienced a 64% increase in sales tax revenues and a near doubling of occupancy tax revenues in recent years. With a thriving craft beer scene, an expanding wine industry, and a growing community of local distilleries, North Carolina's alcohol industry is vibrant and diverse. In 2023, the state sold 7.6 million 9-liter cases of spirits, and sales exceeded $1.7 billion in 2022.
While the economic benefits of alcohol sales are clear, it is important to carefully consider the potential health and social risks. Studies suggest that residents of dry counties may turn to hard drugs, such as meth and opioids, at higher rates. However, data on the safety of dry counties is mixed, and DUI rates are not necessarily lower in these areas. As North Carolina's alcohol laws continue to evolve, finding a balance between economic opportunities and community well-being will be crucial.
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Some residents worry about the health risks and impact on the community
In 2021, Graham County, North Carolina, voted to allow the sale of beer and wine within the county for the first time in over 70 years. The referendum was passed by a narrow margin, with some questions receiving a majority of just two votes.
Some residents of Graham County have expressed concerns about the potential health risks and negative impact on the community that alcohol sales could bring. They worry that the county could return to the violence and substance abuse problems of the 1940s, a time when the county was characterised by high poverty rates, food insecurity, and crime. Joe Deddo, a resident of Graham County, shared how alcoholism had affected his family, including his son's struggle with alcohol addiction and its impact on his marriage and ability to parent.
Opponents of the referendum cited concerns about an increase in drunk driving incidents and accidents, as well as a potential rise in substance abuse. They pointed out that studies suggest residents of dry counties may be more likely to use hard drugs, such as meth and opioids. The memory of the county's past struggles with substance abuse and its association with difficult socioeconomic conditions remains vivid for many long-term residents.
However, supporters of the referendum, including Graham County Economic Development Director Sophia Paulos, argued that the sale of alcohol would bring economic benefits to the county. Paulos believed that alcohol sales would encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money locally, resulting in increased tax revenues. She also pointed to improvements in the county's unemployment rates and business landscape over the past five years, indicating that bigger, better things were already happening in Graham County, regardless of alcohol sales.
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Pastors and religious conservatives have preached against the referendum
In November 2021, Graham County, North Carolina, voted to approve seven different ballot questions that would allow beer and wine to be sold in the county. This was a significant decision, as Graham County had not sold alcohol since 1948, making it the last dry county in North Carolina.
The referendum was a controversial topic, with residents holding differing opinions on the potential impact of alcohol sales on the community. While some residents recognized the economic benefits that increased tourism and tax revenues could bring, others were concerned about the potential negative consequences, including health risks and an increase in accidents and abuse.
Pastors and religious conservatives in Graham County strongly opposed the referendum. They warned that alcohol sales would lead to more alcoholism and substance abuse problems in the community. Their concerns were rooted in the community's history and traditional values. Graham County had struggled with poverty, food insecurity, and high crime rates in the past, and residents feared a return to those difficult times if alcohol was readily available.
The religious leaders' concerns were not unfounded, as the county's health director, Beth Booth, confirmed that substance abuse, particularly meth use, was already an issue in Graham County. However, supporters of the referendum argued that the county had already begun to see positive changes, with improving unemployment rates and increasing tax revenues, regardless of the outcome of the alcohol vote.
The close vote on the referendum, with some questions passing by as little as two votes, highlighted the deep divide within the community. While the official results were still pending due to outstanding mail-in ballots, the initial outcome indicated a shift in Graham County's long-standing stance on alcohol sales.
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Alcohol sales in Graham County have been outlawed for over 70 years
Alcohol sales in Graham County, North Carolina, have been outlawed for over 70 years. In November 2021, residents of the county voted to decide whether local businesses could sell beer and wine. This was the first time the issue had been put to a public vote since Graham County banned alcohol sales in 1948.
The referendum was a contentious issue in the community, with some residents citing health risks and concerns about the county's history with alcohol. Graham County is known for its Baptist churches and traditional values, and discussing alcohol was considered "dicey". Some residents worried that the stories passed down from the 1940s, of a violent Robbinsville, could reemerge if alcohol was legalised. Others pointed to the socioeconomic factors of that time, including high poverty rates, food insecurity, and high crime rates, which contributed to alcohol and substance abuse problems in the county.
However, supporters of the referendum argued that it could bring economic benefits to the county. Graham County's economic development director, Sophia Paulos, believed that alcohol sales would encourage tourists to stay longer in Robbinsville and spend more money in the town, resulting in increased county occupancy and sales taxes. Paulos also shared a report comparing economic numbers from 2016 to 2021, which showed higher sales tax and occupancy tax revenues in 2021.
The referendum narrowly passed by a small margin, with some questions passing by as little as two votes. While the official results were pending the counting of outstanding mail-in ballots, the vote indicated a shift in Graham County's long-standing prohibition on alcohol sales.
The legalisation of alcohol sales in Graham County reflects the changing landscape of North Carolina, which has experienced significant growth and an influx of people from other places. It also highlights the potential for economic growth in the county, particularly in the tourism sector, by meeting the demands of tourists who want to drink during their visits.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in the 2021 election, voters in Graham County approved seven different ballot questions that would allow for beer and wine to be sold in the county.
Graham County outlawed alcohol sales more than 70 years ago, in 1948.
In the early days of alcohol sales, Graham County was not known as a safe place. Many residents remember this time as one of the hardest in the county's history. High poverty rates, food insecurity, and high crime rates led to alcohol and substance abuse problems.
Many residents of Graham County believe that alcohol sales will encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money in the county, increasing tax revenues.
Yes, some residents of Graham County were concerned about the potential health risks and negative impacts on the community associated with alcohol sales. They worried about an increase in alcoholism, drunk driving, and accidents.
