Santa Fe Brewing Company, August 26, 2014

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich tours the Santa Fe Brewing Company to discuss the microbrewery industry's impact on New Mexico's economy. The senator was joined by USDA Rural Development Director Terry Brunner during the tour. Senator Heinrich is a cosponsor of the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act, a bill aimed at promoting small breweries through a series of tax incentives. The craft brewing industry is one of the fastest growing industries in New Mexico employing 3,600 people and generating $61 million in state and local taxes. The Santa Fe Brewing Company has been an innovator in New Mexico's brewing industry and recently utilized U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to install solar panels for energy efficiency, and jump-start a small hops farm in Riconada to use in its products.