In downtown Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, Delta Dirt Distillery continues to prove that world-class spirits can come from rich Delta soil and deep family roots.
When Communities Unlimited (CU) first highlighted their story in 2023, they had already made history as the nation’s only Black-owned, farm-to-bottle distillery. Since then, they’ve continued to build on that legacy — driving strong sales, expanding their product line, and deepening their commitment to revitalizing their community.
CU is proud to have supported their journey every step of the way.
From Family Farm to National Attention
Delta Dirt Distillery’s story begins on the family farm, where sweet potatoes have been grown for generations. What started as a dream — turning those crops into premium vodka and gin — has evolved into a brand grounded in heritage, quality, and innovation.
Since 2023, founders Harvey and Donna Williams and their family have released their next-generation spirit: Arkansas Brown, a whiskey designed to put Arkansas on the map just as Kentucky did with bourbon.
“We want Arkansas Brown to be something this state is proud of. People connect with our story — they get to drink high-quality, drink local, and support a family business with deep roots.”
— Harvey Williams, Founder of Delta Dirt Distillery
A Product in Demand — and a Business Growing to Meet It
Arkansas Brown has quickly become a sensation. Each limited release sells out rapidly, with the distillery often running out between bottling cycles as barrels continue to age.
“We are running out of the brown much faster than we ever expected,” Williams said. “We’re on a master plan now to fill more barrels so we can meet demand.”
This boom created a new challenge — scaling production for a product that takes years to mature. The solution? Build a dedicated barrel house right in downtown Helena.
Revitalizing Main Street, One Barrel at a Time
Delta Dirt now owns a historic building downtown that is being transformed into a rickhouse — a warehouse where whiskey barrels will age until they’re ready for bottling.
“Putting that building back into use means a lot to us,” Williams said. “We worked with a local property owner who believed in what we’re doing and wanted to help breathe life into downtown.”
For Helena-West Helena, a town rich in history and proud of its agricultural heritage, projects like this help fuel local pride and economic growth.
Expanding Reach Through Distribution and E-Commerce
As production grows, so does Delta Dirt’s reach. They’re expanding distribution across the Southeastern U.S., while online ordering allows customers from other states to try their spirits. For Arkansas residents, local retailers remain the go-to source — another way to strengthen connections with home-state supporters.
Strategic Support from CU
CU has worked closely with Delta Dirt since their early stages, and the partnership continues as the business scales. The CU Entrepreneurship Team and Management Consultant Tracy Cook provided detailed financial analysis to help the distillery manage cash flow, plan for growth, and benchmark performance against industry standards.
“Tracy helped us truly know our numbers. Where every dollar goes, what’s profitable, and how to plan ahead. That level of insight matters when you’re growing from the ground up.”
— Harvey Williams
“Harvey is the leader of his family’s farm and distillery business,” Cook added. “His commitment to the family legacy is unmatched. I’m proud to work with him.”
With CU’s guidance, Delta Dirt developed long-term financial projections, optimized expenses, and strengthened its understanding of pricing and cash flow cycles while preparing financially for the new barrel-aging expansion.
The results speak for themselves — operating margins up 15.5%, sales up 24%, and new investor funding secured to support the whiskey launch and future growth.
A Taste of the Delta — and a Celebration of Community
Whether visiting during the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival — one of the South’s oldest and most renowned blues festivals drawing thousands to downtown Helena each October — or stopping in for a tour and tasting, guests experience more than spirits. They experience a story: one of heritage preserved, innovation in agriculture, and Delta pride carried forward.
“When people choose us, they’re choosing local. They’re choosing family. They’re choosing to believe in what this community can be.”
— Harvey Williams
Delta Dirt’s success shows what’s possible when vision, culture, agriculture, and entrepreneurship come together — and CU is proud to continue standing beside them as they keep raising spirits across Arkansas and beyond.
