Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $133,000 in federal funding for the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency. This funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant Program.
The County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency will specifically use the funding to purchase brewing equipment and lease it to the Catskill Brewery. The new equipment will include three lagering tanks, two fermenters, one whirlpool, one foeder tank, a canning line, as well as hoses, clamps and yeast brinks to facilitate the use of the equipment. Through this investment, the brewery will be able to expand their operations and create four new jobs. Gillibrand wrote a letter of support for this funding.
“This federal investment will be a shot in the arm for both Sullivan County and the growing craft brewery sector,” said Senator Schumer. “With this federal funding, four new employees will be hired and operations will be expanded, boosting the Catskills economy. I am proud to announce this federal investment and will continue to fight to make sure that local businesses have the resources they need to bring meaningful economic development to Upstate New York.”
“This federal funding is great news for Sullivan County and the Catskills region,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New Yorkers in the Catskills are doing incredible work to revitalize their economy, and I was proud to support these federal funds that will help create new jobs and bring even more tourists to the region. New York State has the best and hardest-working entrepreneurs in the country, and I will always do everything I can in the Senate to help them thrive.”
“As both a County Legislator and Chairman of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency Board, I have been delighted to witness the rapid growth of our local economy, especially in the red-hot industry of craft brewing,” said Sullivan County Legislator Ira Steingart. “Thanks to this funding secured through Senator Gillibrand and our other federal representatives, Catskill Brewery will expand not only their operations but the reputation of Sullivan County as a top destination along the upstate craft brewery trail.”
“The Catskill Brewery is very appreciative of the help and financial support of our local IDA and the USDA RBDG Program,” said Catskill Brewery co-owner Randy Lewis. “Over the last two years their assistance has helped put us on a path to sustainable/managed growth that will ultimately create a variety of benefits in our local community. We can’t thank them enough for this support.”
The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Development Grant Program. This is a competitive grant program that works to support technical assistance, training, and other activities that lead to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses. More information can be found here.