By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

Isle of Wight County Sheriff Mark Marshall is brewing up a plan for retirement.

Marshall, along with several family members, purchased a commercial property in Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore, where they plan to open a brewery.

All but Marshall and his immediate family already live on the Eastern Shore. The discussion about a brewery, of which there are none on the Eastern Shore, began fermenting last summer, he said.

“A number of us are avid home brewers,” Marshall said. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

Marshall said he remains committed to his job as sheriff and plans to perform professionally through the end of his term, which is December 2019.

Marshall said it wasn’t a secret that being sheriff wasn’t a “forever job” for him.

Marshall said he has fulfilled his promises from his first campaign in 2012, which included getting the agency accredited with the state. While running for a second term in 2016, Marshall promised to maintain those initiatives and practices, as well as prepare for a successor.

Marshall also took the lead on getting funding for a new E911 radio system that will serve all first responders in the county.

Currently, Marshall has two deputies who have completed the FBI Academy program and one who is slated to attend. He believes that who ever becomes the sheriff after him should make having the proper skill set a priority.

“Politics should always be secondary,” he said.

The $2 million brewery project is being financed with private investors, family funds, loans and $500,000 from the Industrial Revitalization Fund with the state, Marshall said. The brewery, which will start as a production brewery and progress to a brew pub and special events venue, has multiple phases and is expected to ultimately bring jobs and visitors to the area.

Right now, Marshall had to ask the Cape Charles Town Council to have water and sewer brought to the building and the family has yet to obtain a building permit and licenses with the state.

It’s a long-term project, Marshall said

Meanwhile, “my commitment is still to the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.  {/mprestriction}