City of Madras celebrates grand opening of Initiative Brewing, largest redevelopment-funded project to date
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – The City of Madras said Thursday it's proud to announce the grand opening of Initiative Brewing, an exciting addition to our community and the culmination of the largest funded project to date by the Madras Redevelopment Commission (MRC).
Initiative Brewing’s opening marks the successful realization of a longstanding goal to bring a brewery and pub to Madras, enhancing the local economy and providing a vibrant gathering space for residents and visitors.
This project began in 2016, when the MRC launched an initiative aimed at recruiting a brewery to the city. This significant milestone was achieved through the cooperative efforts of MRC staff, the City Council, and Initiative Brewing owners Ryan Churchill and Chris Brumley, who worked closely with city leaders to make this vision a reality.
Jefferson County has played a pivotal role in bringing Initiative Brewing to the community, facilitating the purchase of the former public health building at an affordable rate to support this exciting new addition to the local economy.
Discussions regarding MRC funding for the project were initially set in motion during a meeting on September 9, 2021, when Community Development Director Nick Snead met with Churchill and Brumley.
Following these conversations, an MRC Subcommittee, staff members, and the owners continued to evaluate the project’s site requirements and funding options. By September 2022, the MRC approved an initial $200,000 in grant funding and $600,000 in loan funding, complemented by an additional $100,000 in grant funding approved by the Madras City Council.
As the project progressed, the MRC reaffirmed its commitment in August 2023, approving an additional $300,000 loan, which brought the total loan support from the MRC to $900,000 and the total grant funding to $300,000. Altogether, the MRC contributed $1.2 million in funding to support Initiative Brewing’s development—a landmark investment in Madras’ economic growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Initiative Brewing to Madras and congratulate Ryan Churchill and Chris Brumley on their dedication to bringing this venture to our community,” said City Administrator Will Ibershof. “This project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, vision, and community commitment. Initiative Brewing will play an important role in providing a unique place for friends and family to gather and establishing Madras as a destination in Central Oregon.”
The City of Madras and the MRC are honored to support local entrepreneurship, and Initiative Brewing’s opening reflects the ongoing efforts of our community to foster economic growth and enhance quality of life for our residents. We look forward to the brewery’s contributions to our city and invite everyone to experience this exciting new venue.
