Rolling Still Distillery, a family-operated craft spirits producer, has received state economic development funding to support expansion and job growth in Taos County. The distillery currently operates manufacturing and retail facilities in the region and distributes its products across six states including Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. To facilitate further growth, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has allocated $50,000 through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund. Funds will be disbursed as the company meets construction and employment milestones, with Taos County serving as the financial administrator for the project. The expansion is expected to be completed by May 2026 and will result in the hiring of 26 new full-time employees. EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black emphasized that supporting growth-oriented businesses has a significant impact on local communities, noting that each new job contributes to broader economic development in rural areas. Jessica Stern, Taos County’s economic development director, expressed pride in the continued public investment in Rolling Still Distillery, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the EDD to support local business expansion. The distillery has outgrown its current location and has acquired a 5,500-square-foot warehouse previously used as a gas station. The building, which has been vacant for 17 years, will undergo renovation before manufacturing operations are relocated. Co-owner Liza Barrett stated that public funding programs like LEDA enable meaningful projects that would otherwise be difficult to undertake independently. In addition to LEDA funds, Rolling Still has also secured Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) support for up to five new trainees, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding its local workforce. The JTIP program, administered by the EDD, offers reimbursement covering at least 50% of wages during employee training periods.
— News Original —
Run Distillery Awarded State Economic Development Funds To Expand In Taos
Rolling Still owners Nicole Barady and Liza Barrett and distillers Dan Irion and Scott Barady. Courtesy photo
Abandoned warehouse purchased by Rolling Still for company expansion. Courtesy photo
EDD News:
SANTA FE — Rolling Still Distillery, a women-owned, family-run craft distillery, has been awarded state economic assistance to add jobs and relocate manufacturing through a program administered by the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD).
Rolling Still operates a manufacturing facility and two retail lounges in Taos County. They are an economic base business, currently distributing their spirits to Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
To better position them for success within the local economy, the NM Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund has pledged $50,000 to Rolling Still, with dollars distributed as the company meets construction and hiring benchmarks. Taos County is acting as the fiscal agent for the funds.
The expected completion date for the project is May 2026, and the company plans to hire 26 new full-time employees.
“Giving growth-driving businesses like this a chance to thrive makes a huge impact on the community,” EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black said. “Every job in these rural markets creates a ripple effect that supports families and strengthens our local economies.”
LEDA is a program that invests public money into private companies to offset the costs of land, building, and infrastructure.
“Taos County is proud of the continued public investment in Rolling Still Distillery, a valued economic driver in our community,” Jessica Stern said, economic development director of Taos County. “We are grateful for the partnership with EDD and look forward to supporting the growth of Rolling Still.”
Rolling Still has outgrown its current facilities and has purchased a 5,500-square-foot warehouse at 1310 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571. Formerly a gas station, the building has been abandoned for 17 years and has fallen into disrepair. The company plans to rehabilitate the facility and relocate manufacturing operations upon completion.
“As a woman-owned business in a small rural community, support from programs like LEDA helps make big, meaningful projects — like bringing new life to a long-abandoned warehouse — possible,” Co-Owner Liza Barrett said. “This kind of funding gives us the chance to grow, create jobs, and invest in our community in a way that we couldn’t do alone.”
In addition to this new funding, Rolling Still has been awarded state Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) funds in FY25 for up to five new trainees, as the company is committed to growing its Taos-based staff.
JTIP is an EDD program that can reimburse a company for at least 50% of wages during the training period.