Rolling Still will hire 26 employees, rehabilitate a blighted building
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,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “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,” said Jessica Stern, 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,” said Co-Owner Liza Barrett. “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.
For more information about the program, visit the LEDA page on EDD’s website at edd.newmexico.gov/LEDA.
EDD’s mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive. EDD’s programs contribute directly to this mission by funding workforce training and infrastructure that supports business growth, helping every community create a thriving economy.
