Editor’s Note: A prior version of this story implied that Deep Eddy was selling and shutting down its original site in Dripping Springs, Texas. That is not the case. Deep Eddy has clarified that they will be operational at both sites.
The craft vodka brand Deep Eddy has announced plans to open a second location in Texas to significantly increase its production.
The new site will be in the city of Buda, which comes in addition to the existing, original Deep Eddy site in Dripping Springs, Texas, which will remain open and operational.
Deep Eddy previously approached Buda citing growth limitations at its current facility, the city says in a press release. The company will expand into an existing building which has been vacant for approximately two years. The building is more than 194,000 square feet and sits on 15-plus acres of land.
This new facility is at least 5 times the size of Deep Eddy’s current building, the company says.
Deep Eddy will retain all existing jobs (approximately 40 positions) and plans to add at least 20 new jobs over the next 10 years.
On September 20, 2016, the Buda City Council unanimously approved a Chapter 380 Agreement and adopted a resolution authorizing an economic development agreement between the Buda Economic Development Corporation, Deep Eddy and its parent company Heaven Hill. The Kentucky-based liquor company purchased Deep Eddy Vodka in 2015.
Capital investment during Deep Eddy’s first year of operation at its new location will range from $12.5 to $17 million, the city reports. Incentives include a 40% rebate on city property taxes paid on the new net value of taxable property, estimated at $80,000.
The EDC is providing $400,000 in cash incentives to the project. That includes $265,000 to assist with building upgrades and improvements, $110,000 for construction of a water line that will serve the project and adjacent properties, and a $25,000 cash incentive if the company opens a tasting room facility in the City of Buda.
Current plans are for the tasting room to remain at its current location with the production operations relocating to Buda.
Deep Eddy’s existing distillery location was recently acquired by a Silicon Valley investor. Deep Eddy leases space at that site and thus was not party to that transaction.
