Homestead Distilling Using State Funding For Growth

Cumberland County-based Homestead Distilling will use a state grant to upgrade its equipment.

Whiskey and Bourbon Distiller Lee Presson said the Agriculture Enterprise Fund grant will fund the project. Presson said the ultimate goal is to continue expanding, and that this funding will help make that possible.

“Our goal is that this is an operation that can fully find itself, provide more jobs to the Upper Cumberland area,” Presson said. “Hopefully we’ll expand large enough that we’ll need more employees and that way we can contribute to the Tennessee Agriculture Industry.”

Presson said the AEF grant allows them to work with local farmers and grain farmers. Presson said grain farmers usually sell there product to cattle or animal farms. He said as a distillery, using grain allows those farms another avenue to get their product sold.

“Growing here in Tennessee, it just provides farmers another avenue for revenue, for their own profits, that way everyone wins,” Presson said. “There’s a farm in Tennessee getting more revenue, there’s a new business opening up. I’ve talked to a few people who are really excited about that happening here.”

Dean Presson said they plan to use locally grown corn to support local farmers and give back to the community.

“We’re thrilled to be able to accept this grant and we’re gonna be using it to, you know, primarily fund the more permanent fixtures of our operation,” Presson said. “For example our building, and distilling equipment, things like that.”