USA, ME: Baxter Brewing expands in downtown Lewiston

As Baxter Brewing Company begins construction of its $2 mln expansion, Lewiston city officials say it's the kind of downtown economic development they want to encourage, wlbz2.com reported on February, 1.

The brewery in the Bates Mill Complex will be expanding space by 400 percent, and doubling its staff by April.

"It's been a crazy couple years, definitely, but it's been exciting," said Founder and President Luke Livingston, who just celebrated the company's two-year anniversary last week.

City Councillors in both Lewiston and Auburn expressed support for downtown economic development.

Councillors discussed the possibility of creating a joint downtown manager position.

"It's really taking somebody who has the time and energy to focus wholly and solely on the downtown," said Lincoln Jeffers, Lewiston Economic and Community Development Director.

He said investments like Baxter's are part of a growing trend in Lewiston/Auburn economic development.

As Baxter begins its third year in operations, and more entrepreneurs move downtown, it's an area where business is brewing.

"There is no better time, no more exciting time, to be a part of what's happening downtown," said Livingston.

06 February, 2013