OSU investment will increase the value of Brand Oregon. Distilled spirits are a rapidly growing, value-added and homegrown industry, deserving of serious support in order to reach the pedigree of Oregon’s wineries and craft brewers.
In the final hours of the 78th Oregon State Legislative Session a job creation investment of $1.2 million dollars was passed to support Oregon’s growing producers of wine, beer and distilled spirits. This exciting investment can truly be called a job-creating measure passed in Salem. The investment in OSU’s Fermentation Sciences program offers both good news and a significant opportunity for re-investment to push out the boundaries of our burgeoning craft industries.
For the next two years Oregon State University will be able to fully fund the foundation for a critical distilled spirits program. Distilled spirits are a rapidly growing, value-added and homegrown industry, deserving of serious support in order to reach the pedigree of Oregon’s wineries and craft brewers. OSU received a donated distill from King Estate Winery, but has been unable to put the equipment to use due to lack of operational funding. With the additional investment from the 2013 Legislature, the university will be the first in the nation with a trifecta of a working research winery, brewery and distillery.
To optimize the current $1.2 million investment, OSU will first bring distilling to the fermentation sciences curriculum and look to future investments to fund additional enhancements in agriculture research, workforce training and industry support programs, as well bring in marketing expertise to support our beer, wine and spirits industries. Combined, these investments will further build consumer demand for Oregon products and propel these industries into the hiring arena to create jobs for the very students OSU will be educating.
Oregon’s rich culture of food and beverage is a hallmark across the state. Particularly in Bend, Deschutes Brewery is honored to be among the Oregon-owned companies that are fueling market demand for our state products and the jobs to fulfill them.
In a press release Deschutes Brewery said they understand and appreciate the importance placed on the OSU Fermentation Sciences Program by the Legislature. They look forward to future conversations and investments to keep the momentum of Oregon’s fermentation industries moving forward.
