Wednesday, September 15, 2021

This summer, caseworkers in the district offices of Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) helped Mother Road Brewing Co. in Flagstaff and Verde Brewing Company in northern Arizona cut costs, get approved for pandemic assistance loans, and keep business going during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, O’Halleran voted to pass the Craft Beer Modernization Act, a bill to extend 2017 tax reforms for brewers, winemakers, and distillers, cutting owed taxes for micro-breweries in half. In the O’Halleran-backed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, these provisions were made permanent.

“Craft breweries, wineries, and similar establishments pump billions of dollars into our nation’s economy and are currently on the rise in Arizona,” said O’Halleran. “I was proud to cosponsor legislation to permanently establish reduced federal excise taxes and modernized regulations for brewers, distillers, and vintners across the U.S., preventing a steep increase in taxed dollars per barrel from hamstringing our local breweries and the hardworking people they employ.”

This summer, Rep. O’Halleran’s office aided two beloved local breweries in adapting to during the coronavirus pandemic.

Verde Brewing Company in northern Arizona this summer experienced red tape and issues with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Even after getting approved for an EIDL advance, SBA deposited the money in the wrong bank account. After applying pressure to SBA, O’Halleran caseworkers were able to get the issue resolved and Verde Brewing Company was approved for a Targeted EIDL Advance and a Supplemental Targeted Advance totaling $15,000.

“We appreciate Congressman O’Halleran’s commitment to supporting rural businesses and the excellent support of the Congressman’s staff,” said Alex Goetting of Verde Brewing Co. “It has been a game-changer for our business, allowing us to increase production, increase wages, hire more staff, and continue to brew world-class beer for our fantastic customers here in the Verde Valley.”

Under O’Halleran-backed COVID relief legislation, Mother Road Brewing Company of Flagstaff secured Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which helped buffer an uncertain hospitality landscape.

Mother Road Brewing Company will brew over 17,000 barrels of beer this year, and tax savings secured under the Craft Beer Modernization Act allowed the company to re-invest in more fermentation tanks, to purchase a carbon re-capturing system that makes their processes more sustainable, and to raise wages and benefits for their workers. Mother Road’s goal is to pay above the 75th percentile for all brewery employees.

“The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act allowed microbreweries and regional breweries to invest in new equipment, sustainability measures, and their people,” said Oliver Adams of Mother Road Brewing Co. “We extend a thank you to all Representatives and Senators who supported this bill.”

Constituents and First District businesses in need of assistance with COVID relief, as well as help dealing with issues with Medicare, Social Security, veterans benefits, and more, can visit O’Halleran’s Help with a Federal Agency webpage or contact any of his Arizona offices.

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