Port of Whitman seeks CERB loan for industrial park

COLFAX — The Port of Whitman County Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue a low-interest loan on Thursday, Sept. 7.

The loan from the State of Washington’s Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) would be to support a new production facility in the Pullman Industrial Park, which is owned by the Port, for Hunga Dunga Brewing in Moscow.

The distillery is a venture founded by the owners of Etsi Bravo, located in Pullman, to increase Paddock’s canned cocktails production.

President of the Port of Whitman Board of Commissioners Karl Webber said that small businesses like Hunga Dunga and Etsi Bravo are essential to creating a sense of community in the region. “The Commission is excited to be a partner as they grow,” he said, adding that it’s a great example of why they need business-ready industrial properties in Pullman and around the county.

The Port would use the CERB loan to construct a building to host the new business. Hunga Dunga would then lease the building from the Port and be responsible for financing tenant improvements.

Owner and manager of Hunga Dunga Brewing, Graham Lilly, said they are grateful to the community for supporting the brewery through its early years and the pandemic. “We are thrilled to work with the Port of Whitman as we write our next chapter in Pullman and Moscow,” Lilly said.

“We are so grateful to this community for supporting our brewery through its early years and the pandemic,” said Graham Lilly, owner and manager of Hunga Dunga Brewing. “We are thrilled to work with the Port of Whitman as we write our next chapter in Pullman and Moscow.”

Hunga Dunga Brewing was founded and will continue to be based in Moscow, Idaho.

The current site of the brewing company already housing its production and canning operation, a restaurant, and a taproom that hosts community events, and urrently has no more room for equipment.

The Port’s application to CERB is the first step in the process and is subject to approval by the agency.

Hunga Dunga estimates that the new facility in the Pullman Industrial Park will employ 20 residents by the beginning of its second year and expects to add employees to the Moscow location when more customers can be served.

Hunga Dunga’s owners plan to start a new Washington State-based distribution company.

The Port created the Pullman Industrial Park in the 1980s and is now home to a diverse community of technology, life science and other businesses employing 2,800 workers.

Three building sites are left at the industrial park, and Hunga Dunga will occupy the location adjacent to an available 1.5-acre lot.

The Port said that the third building site encompasses three lots and is slated for the proposed “scaling facility,” an initiative to support the launch of innovative clean technology businesses spinning out of land grant universities.