(Columbus)--Today, the role of the Ohio Department of Commerce expands as it absorbs the Department of Liquor Control.

This merger is the final piece of Governor George V. Voinovich's 1995 cabinet restructuring bill, Senate Bill 162. Other portions of the bill merged the Department of Industrial Relations into Commerce and created the Commerce Division of Financial Institutions out of the former Divisions of Banks, Credit Unions, and Savings and Loans/Savings Banks.

"We expect a smooth transition that should go unnoticed by the average retail business and consumer," said Director of Commerce Donna Owens. "Our goal is to provide the same level of service to our customers in an even more efficient manner."

The Department of Liquor Control was created in 1933, following the repeal of Prohibition. Its mission since that time has been to provide for the safe sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Ohio, without increasing its use. As such, the division will continue to be responsible for controlling the manufacture, distribution and sale of all alcoholic beverages in the state. The division will remain the sole purchaser and distributor of spirituous liquor, which is sold through 400 contracted private agencies across the state. The division is also responsible for the issuance of permits to the state's 24,000 privately owned and operated manufacturers, distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages. The enforcement functions of Liquor Control moved to the Department of Public Safety in 1995, but continue to be funded through liquor revenues.

"Our focus throughout the merger process has been to integrate, not duplicate," said previous Director of Liquor Control William Vasil, who has been appointed the superintendent of the new division. "By sharing administrative and support functions with the Department of Commerce, we hope to achieve increased efficiency."

Many of the administrative functions are being combined during the merger. Savings will result from combining the human resources, payroll, fiscal, legal, legislative and communications offices under the Department of Commerce's Division of Administration. In addition, the records management, information systems, and mail service functions are being integrated.

The Division of Liquor Control will remain at its current location: 6606 Tussing Road, P.O. Box 4005 Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-9005. It joined the Division of Industrial Compliance at this location in February 1997. The location serves as the Department of Commerce's Customer Service Center. The center is a one-stop-shop for all construction permitting, plan approval and inspection needs.

In addition to Liquor Control, the Department of Commerce houses the divisions of Financial Institutions, Industrial Compliance, Real Estate and Professional Licensing, Securities, State Fire Marshal and Unclaimed Funds.

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