A pioneer in the Craft Beer movement, North Coast Brewing Company opened in 1988 as a local brewpub in Fort Bragg. Possessing an uncompromising commitment to craft, quality and a will to do things differently, President & Co-Founder Mark Ruedrich built and grew North Coast Brewing with a devotion to the brewery’s employees, community and the planet. North Coast Brewing Company is also a leader in philanthropy and sustainability. In addition to being a Certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation, the brewery is proud to be TRUE Platinum Zero Waste Certified, offer 14 Non-GMO Project Verified beers, and spearhead an innovative carbon farming project to reverse its carbon footprint and advance the science of carbon sequestration in agriculture with Fortunate Farm in Caspar. No matter which beer a customer chooses, they are contributing to their diverse charitable programs, which in 2017, donated $425,120.
North Coast has won more than 110 awards in national and international competitions. In addition to Red Seal Ale, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, Scrimshaw Pilsner, and other fine North Coast brands, the brewery has resurrected the old Acme label with a heritage dating back to the San Francisco of the 1860s. These exceptional beers are available in 48 states now and also are exported to Europe and the Pacific Rim.
We’re excited to have North Coast as one of our Startup Mendocino sponsors and we caught up with Jennifer Owen, Chief Financial Officer to hear her take on Mendocino County’s future.
What part does your organization play in the economic development of Mendocino County?
North Coast Brewing Company is the 4th largest employer in Fort Bragg and the only major manufacturing company in Fort Bragg. We hire locally and we spend locally. Our revenues are primarily generated from out-of-area distributors, resulting in a net-cash inflow to the Mendocino Coast – and that’s a huge economic benefit for our community.
What good things do you see happening in the next decade in Mendocino County?
We are excited about potential future development on the former Georgia-Pacific Mill Site that can provide both jobs and desperately needed housing.
What’s your favorite place to go in Mendocino County?
My favorite place to eat is of course our own taproom, restaurant and bar! The newly completed coastal trail along Fort Bragg’s coastline is one of my favorite places to be on the Coast
Tickets for the Startup Mendocino Competition Gala Are Now on Sale
This family-friendly event takes place in Ukiah at the Mendocino College theater on August 25th. Tickets are $10 and include beer, wine, refreshments, local food and prizes — and most importantly, a chance to cast your vote to determine who will win the grand prize for Startup Mendocino. Click here to buy tickets now.
Startup Mendocino is a Business Bootcamp and Pitch Competition designed to spark new thinking about what is possible in Mendocino County through entrepreneurship. Startup Mendocino is sponsored by the West Business Development Center, America’s SBDC, The John and Sandra Mayfield Economic Development Fund at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, Adventist Hospital, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Economic Development and Financing Corporation, Mendocino College, North Coast Brewery, Harvest Market, The John Pack and Linda Francis Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, Ukiah Chambers of Commerce, Mendocino Coast Chambers of Commerce and Willits Chambers of Commerce and The Coast – KOZT, and the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity.
Startup Mendocino is supported by the Small Business Administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Business & Economic Development.
As always, to sign up for free business advising from WestBDC go here.
Our Sponsors
