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Potosi Brewery receives $450,000 grant
Potosi Brewery receives $450,000 grant
The federal aid will accelerate renovation project's Phase 1
By Craig Reber
POTOSI, Wis. — Potosi Brewery restoration efforts received a huge boost Thursday with the awarding of a federal grant worth nearly a half-million dollars.
The $449,574 comes from the Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byways program.
"This is a tremendous shot in the arm," said Steve Vogelsberg, president of the Potosi Brewery Foundation.
The money will help accelerate the project's Phase 1, which calls for new windows, doors and a roof, and shoring up walls. Phase 2 includes the interior construction
The brewery operated from 1852 to 1972. In August, the American Breweriana Association committed $250,000 to the creation of a museum in the building.
"The momentum certainly has picked up," said Vogelsberg.
Foundation Secretary and state Rep. Steve Freese, R-Dodgeville, credited U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, for helping secure the grant, which will be used to build an interpretive center in the building.
"Mark has long had an interest in historic preservation," Freese said.
Green told Freese on Thursday morning that federal Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta accepted the grant application and released the funding for the project.
Freese, who introduced President Bush at a rally in Cuba City on Tuesday, cited the Bush administration for "seeing the importance of the project" to a rural southwest Wisconsin community.
"The president specifically took his bus tour in southwest Wisconsin," Freese said. "He recognized our rural values and our work ethic. What better way to preserve an icon on American history."
The foundation has been working to restore the brewery since early 2001, when it began a fund-raising campaign. The project carries a $3.4 million price tag.
When completed, the building will house a Great River Road interpretive center, the Potosi Brewery Museum , a restaurant and gift shop and micro brewery. Freese anticipates the complex will provide 50 jobs and bring at least 110 visitors daily to Potosi . The net result will pump $1.3 million into Grant County as well as spur economic development, he added.
"This is truly a great day for southwest Wisconsin ," Freese said.
Vogelsberg agreed.
"This thing will be a reality," he said.
©2004 The Telegraph Herald
