The Anheuser-Busch factory in Merrimack is set to close by Jan. 31, 2026. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – For 55 years, the Anheuser-Busch factory overlooking the Merrimack River has been one of the town’s major employers; however, plans have been set in motion to close the facility by Jan. 31, 2026.

The factory, which currently has 125 employees, underwent an $11.3 million expansion project in 2017 and was the training ground for the Budweiser Clydesdales until 2018.

The company’s locations in Fairfield, Calif. and Newark, N.J. are also set to shut down after the first of the year.

“Over the last five years, we have taken steps to update and modernize our U.S. manufacturing operations, investing nearly $2 billion in our 100 facilities across the country,” said an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson. “After conducting a thorough review, we will be shifting production from these three facilities to our other U.S. facilities. These changes will enable us to invest even more in our remaining operations and in our portfolio of growing, industry-leading brands. We will support the approximately 475 full-time employees currently working at these three facilities by offering all of them a full-time role elsewhere in our U.S. operations.”

New positions, stipends and training will be offered elsewhere in the U.S. for employees who can relocate. Anyone who cannot transfer to a new location will receive a severance package.

Town Manager Paul Micali said the town will feel the loss of the $1.5 million that Anheuser-Busch pays each year to help fund the town’s sewer budget. He and his colleagues are currently looking for a way to fill that void.

“We’re in a holding pattern right now, trying to figure out what the next steps are,” he said.

Regarding property tax revenue, Micali said he still expects an annual payment of $800,000 as Anheuser-Busch’s parent company, AB InBev, will maintain ownership of the property.

Micali also emphasized that he and his colleagues will be there for any Anheuser-Busch employees who need assistance.

“We look out for one another,” he said.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she was “extremely disappointed” to learn that the company’s Merrimack location would be closing its doors.

“We’re here to help Granite Staters impacted by this closure,” she said. “Our agencies will work with affected employees to ensure they know what resources and assistance are available to them and their families.”

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) also expressed her concern for the workers who will be facing unemployment.

“I’m thinking most about the Granite State workers directly impacted by the closure and want to ensure that they will be treated fairly,” she said. “Especially as costs continue to rise, I’ll continue to work to support good paying jobs and American businesses so that hard working families can thrive.”

State Rep. Maureen Mooney (R-Merrimack) said Anheuser-Busch has been a staple in Merrimack and will be sorely missed.

“Anheuser-Busch has been a cherished institution,” she said.

Mooney also said she is appreciative that the company will be assisting employees with job transfers or providing them with severance packages.

Since the announcement was made to close the factory, Mooney said she has received “several innovative ideas” about what could be done with the 300-acre property in the coming months.

AB InBev currently controls 33 percent of the U.S. beer market. Its brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Natural Light and Stella Artois. It also owns Michelob Ultra, which has become the top selling beer by volume in the country.