Drylands Brewing Company restaurant, tap house and canning facility opened in 2017 in the Lovington MainStreet District. The business is creating 10 manufacturing jobs and 20 service jobs supported by the new brewing and canning operation. The project is the newest addition to Lovington’s MainStreet area and will support the continued growth of Lovington’s downtown district.
“We’re very proud to locate our facility in Lovington and contribute to the continuing development in the downtown area,” said Drylands Brewing co-owner Francisco Arreola.
A vibrant entertainment and night life was one of the key economic development strategies of the Lovington Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan (MRA). The MRA process engaged community members in prioritizing increased business opportunities in the Lovington MainStreet District. A local entrepreneur hearing of the public/private sector commitment by the city and the Lovington MainStreet board asked for assistance. A true public/private partnership, NMMS engaged the city in a vacant lot they wanted to develop. NMMS developed a conceptual site plan, a project implementation plan, and business plan with the entrepreneurs to build a pizzeria and brewpub. Additional development planning was provided through funding from the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance. Drylands received $100,000 in state LEDA funds for the expansion, in addition to local LEDA funding.
“We’re very proud to add Drylands Brewing to Lovington’s thriving MainStreet area and to continue diversifying our local economy,” said Lovington MainStreet, Executive Director, Mara Salcido-Alcantar.
Lovington MainStreet has capitalized on the new property and business by acquiring another grant of $20,000 for local entrepreneur development and façade restorations and improvements.