FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kristie Farnham, Director of Business Support
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
(802)398-5268
Kristie.Farnham@vermont.gov
Saxtons River Distillery Receives $350,000 Loan
BRATTLEBORO, VT – The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has provided $350,000 in financing through the Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) to Saxtons River Distillery.
The loan will provide for a portion of the funding to purchase real estate at 155 Chickering Drive in Brattleboro. This acquisition will allow the owners of Saxtons River Distillery to move production out of a leased location and into space four times bigger than they currently occupy. The larger location will allow the business to expand capacity and provide for a more welcoming tasting/retail facility, including accommodating indoor and outdoor events.
“We have been looking for the right opportunity to expand for three years,” said Founder and Head Distiller Chris Stromberg. “This location will provide us with both space for our production expansion and a much broader visitor experience. We are grateful the WCEDP loan helped make this possible."
Saxtons River Distillery began 11 years ago in a barn in Cambridgeport, VT; subsequently, all operations moved to Brattleboro. The distillery boasts of a heritage born from Lithuania traditions and spirits that feature the flavors of Vermont.
“Distillers across the State are experiencing a healthy growth trajectory and Saxtons River Distillery is a prime example of the growth and success,” said Commissioner of Economic Development Joan Goldstein. “This expansion will increase capacity and allow development of new products which means bringing on additional staff; a beautiful alignment with the purpose of the Windham County Economic Development Program."
WCEDP is administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development in cooperation with the WCEDP Advisory Council. The funds were secured through a memorandum of understanding governing the closure of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, for the purpose of mitigating the impacts of closure on the region’s economy including the loss of over 600 jobs. WCEDP investment promotes economic development in Windham County by stimulating job creation through business start-up, expansion, or relocation, by encouraging entrepreneurial activity, and by strengthening the economic development infrastructure to ensure a strong foundation for transformational economic activity.
For more information on WCEDP, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/windham-county.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The ACCD’s mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. The ACCD is comprised of four Departments: the Department of Economic Development (DED), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Department of Administration, and the Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM). The Agency reports annually to the Legislature on activities and outcomes. For more information on the Vermont ACCD, visit: accd.vermont.gov.
For more information on Saxtons River Distillery, visit https://www.saxtonsriverdistillery.com/.