Enhancements at the site of the historic Wokalup Tavern are another step closer after the state government allocated $150,000 to the project.
The grant is expected to support the addition of the new Bruglan brewery, the trial of a new production method and upgrades to the 114-year-old tavern's facade.
The funding is also expected to contribute to the relocation of the existing bottle shop to address existing road safety concerns at the site just south of Harvey.
The project is set to create up to 10 full-time jobs and was one of five across the South-West to receive a share in more than $570,000 as part of the state government's latest Regional Economic Development Grants.
WA Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan, who travelled to Busselton to make the announcement on January 24, said the grants were about trying to encourage the diversification of the economy in regional areas.
"Tourism is a vital economic contributor to the South-West and, through our Regional Economic Development grants, the McGowan Government is building further on our recent success in securing the first ever direct flights into Busselton," she said.
"New hospitality and tourism-based projects will create local jobs and opportunities for the community: brewery projects at Busselton and Wokalup will enhance WA's craft brewing industry, which is worth $100 million to the state and growing rapidly.
"This particular round is perhaps a little monodimensional in that it is very much tourism and hospitality related. Although it is perhaps not as diverse as the suite of projects we usually have, these are very worthy projects."
The biggest winner in this round of the grants was Geographe Bay Brewing Company, which received $250,000 to fast-track the expansion of Busselton's 1,800 square metre foreshore microbrewery and increase its processing capacity.
The company, owned by the Credaro and Packard-Hair families, is expected to use the grant to purchase a brewing and canning production system that would enable it to enter the international market.
Southern Forests Blackwood Valley Tourism Association received almost $75,000 to build on its tourism capability, allowing for a range of marketing and infrastructure activities designed to increase visitation and tourism spending.
Vasse Valley hemp was allocated $50,000 for the development of the first large-scale commercial hemp seed processing facility in WA, which is set to feature state-of-the-art equipment for the storage, cleaning, roasting and packaging of hemp foods and create training opportunities for producers state-wide.
The Shire of Nannup took home the remaining $47,000 share to allow for the installation of trail infrastructure at Foreshore Park to support the town to become an accredited 'Trails Town'.
The project involves a multipurpose wash-down bay and bike maintenance equipment, signage and the construction of a path from the town centre to mountain bike trails.
