Busch Theme Parks are on the chopping block

Some Virginia leaders expressed concerns about the impact in Virginia of InBev NV's buyout of Anheuser-Busch Cos.

"It's a jolt," said Hugh Keogh, president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. "We have a great regard for [Anheuser-Busch]. I hope there won't be any distraction or disruption of employment."

The companies said today they will sell off “noncore assets” that they would not name to raise some $7 billion to finance the deal. InBev will also borrow $45 billion and plans to issue new shares to raise another $9.8 billion.
Keogh said Anheuser-Busch has been a significant investor in Virginia for nearly four decades, and that he hopes that continues.

In addition to its Williamsburg-area brewery, Anheuser-Busch also owns Busch Gardens and Water Country USA amusement parks and Kingsmill Resort in the area. Those attractions have brought in tourists and are a good marketing tool, said Clyde Haulman, vice mayor of Williamsburg.

"What are they going to do now? That's the question," he said. "For us, that sort of synergy between the various components has been important for this community and its base economy. If those split in some way, what is that going to mean for the role that they've played in the past?"