E-Malt.com News article: USA, CA: Lompoc City Council approves Solvang Brewing Company loan

The former Beattie Ford Motors dealership at the Lompoc’s corner of H Street and Chestnut, has sat vacant for nearly 20 years, reported Keyt on May 6.

The Lompoc City Council gave unanimous approval to a $200,000 loan to the owners of the Solvang Brewing Company who've already received approval to build a craft brewery, tap room and restaurant at the former car dealership site.

The loan is to help the owners start buying equipment for the project that's expected to break ground this summer.

"All the resources that were really necessary for our growth were available to us here", says Solving Brewing Company co-owner Stephen Renfrow. "Not only that but we also got a lot of support here locally as well to come out here."

Renfrow has operated his popular and successful brewery and restaurant on Highway 246 in Solvang since 2010 and says he's been looking for a larger location to expand his craft beer production to include bottling and distribution.

"I just felt that had a lot of character," Refrow says about the former car dealership location. "I felt like life could breathe back into the building."

The 8 year, $200,000 loan to Renfrow carries a 4% interest rate and is backed by the federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which encourages economic development and low to moderate income job creation.

The new Solvang Brewing Company in Lompoc is expected to have at least 28 employees.

The city also gets rid of notorious blight on a high-profile corner in its designated historic Old Town area.

"I'm excited about creating an environment that the locals can enjoy", Renfrow says. "Not only just to come and have a craft beer, glass of wine or a meal but also to come as family."


08 May, 2015