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Santa Fe County to Assist in Santa Fe Brewing Company’s Expansion

Santa Fe, NM - September 4, 2014 – Today, Santa Fe Brewing Company announced an expansion that will increase their production capacity from 18,000 barrels of beer annually to more than 200,000 barrels by the year 2020. The expansion will add up to 85 new jobs, increasing personnel on the company payroll to more than 100. With an investment of $250,000 by the State of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) – also announced today – Santa Fe Brewing Company is poised for long-term growth.

David Griscom, economic development manager for Santa Fe County, explains how the County will leverage this initial investment from the State: “We are working with the brewery to facilitate the LEDA funding to design and implement a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system. We are also working to ensure that the Brewery will be able to connect its wastewater system to the City, thus saving them money. This system will ensure that Santa Fe Brewing can continue to expand without concern about stressing vital infrastructure down the road.”

The new wastewater treatment system will save the brewery up to $70,000 per year in costs associated with pumping effluent. The system is part of the first phase of the planned expansion, which incorporates a laboratory, packaging hall, loading dock and a new beer garden with an expanded tasting room. Phase one will launch the addition of 35 new jobs. Phase two will encompass a new brew house, additional warehouse space and create up to 50 new jobs.

Santa Fe County Commissioner Liz Stefanics said “Economic Development is very important to Santa Fe County, and the Santa Fe Brewing Company has been a valuable employer in the County since 1988, creating needed jobs for our community. We are excited that the SF Brewing Company will be able to offer its product to national and international markets, bringing in revenue from out of state.”

The brewery’s expansion – an addition of 55,000 square feet – will increase their production, allowing for national and international distribution. Currently, Santa Fe Brewing distributes only to regional outlets. The estimated $10-11 million expansion will create valuable tax dollars that will be put to work in the community. Current taxes (excise tax, gross receipts tax and payroll tax) paid to New Mexico by Santa Fe Brewing average about $120,000 annually. After the expansion is complete, the taxes will amount to $263,000 annually.

“Santa Fe Brewing Company will be an important player in job creation over the next few years,” Commissioner Stefanics says. “We are excited to see their products reach a wider market.”

About Santa Fe Brewing Company
Founded in 1988 in Galisteo, New Mexico, Santa Fe Brewing Company is the state’s oldest microbrewery and distributes their naturally conditioned craft beer to a regional market. Owner Brian Lock currently employs 44 people at their location at 35 Fireplace Lane in Santa Fe, which is the site of the brewing operations as well as a tasting room. Visit www.santafebrewing.comfor more information.