“Grain to glass” may sound a bit strange, but the concept is serious business to Ryan and Nikki McDonald. The pair own the Hartland Brewing Company in the town that bears its name. Business was booming so much that they decided to expand their portfolio with an additional location, Linden Brewing Company, 20 minutes down the road. 

“For us it’s both a real estate and brewery/restaurant play,” said Ryan. “We knew we had the hospitality skills, but needed to find just the right facility to make it a reality.” They made what was seemingly an unlikely choice: a historic building well past its prime in downtown Linden.

Ryan and Nikki’s builder connected them with Michigan SBDC Regional Director Janis Mueller. Janis made them aware of their eligibility for MEDC’s Michigan Community Reinvestment Program and helped them complete the necessary paperwork and forms. With additional help from the Linden Chamber of Commerce, plus rounds of inspections, Ryan and Nikki successfully secured a significant grant for the project. 

“I did not know that programs like these existed for historic buildings like ours. It almost sounded too good to be true,” said Ryan. “I asked for references, to see who had done this before. Janis knew all about the program and the ins and outs required to make it happen. She knows and explains the language of business.” 

Linden Brewing Company now has more than 20 employees on the payroll, and is a vibrant business and social hub for the community. Ryan concluded: “I enjoy having my kids see what’s possible and the hard work that goes into it. Pay your dues, take care of each other and your community, and the rest will take care of itself.”