Howard County $200K loan to Victoria's Gastro Pub owners for first farm brewery

Howard County entrepreneurs Randy and Mary Marriner aren't afraid to try something different or take a risk, and starting the county's first on-farm microbrewery certainly qualifies.

But thanks to the county's Economic Development Authority and County Executive Allan Kittleman, the couple, who own Columbia's Victoria's Gastro Pub, won't have to do it alone.

The Marriners have received a $200,000 loan from the county to help launch the new business, which Randy said he hopes to have operational in March. The brewery is being constructed inside a 7,200-square-foot barn at Manor Hill Farms in Ellicott City, a small 54-acre working farm owned by the Marriners, who also live on the property.

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