Edinburg Unveils $2.5 Million Home for 5x5 Brewing

EDINBURG, Texas — A surprise announcement in downtown Edinburg revealed a new home for 5x5 Brewing Co., bringing together beverage manufacturing, local entrepreneurship, and a destination for dining and entertainment.

Unveiled October 26 at 517 W. McIntyre, the planned 8,000-square-foot facility represents an initial building investment of approximately $2.5 million. The project will combine beer production with a taproom, restaurant, and outdoor gathering space, giving the veteran-owned business a new base for growth in South Texas.

The announcement revealed the identity behind “Project 25”—a reference to five multiplied by five—and concluded with city leaders and the brewery’s team unveiling a rendering of the future building.

Speaking with Pro Texas Industry, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Raudel Garza described the project as “an 8,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that also has a hospitality component.”

The EDC will own the building and lease it to 5x5, creating a public-private arrangement intended to support business growth while retaining a community asset.

For George Rice, a founding member and co-owner of 5x5, production remains central to the company’s plans.

“First and foremost, we’re a production facility,” Rice said.

The brewery will pair that operation with fresh beer served on-site and a kitchen designed around local ingredients. Rice said the company intends to source poultry, fish, beef, and other products locally, extending the project’s potential benefits to additional South Texas businesses.

“It’s something we believe in to our core beliefs and roots, is supporting local,” he said.

During the announcement, Rice projected 25–40 jobs across manufacturing, hospitality, retail, sales, and management. He also anticipated additional work supporting the operation, including distribution, entertainment, and other services. Garza similarly pointed to opportunities involving product handling, packaging, delivery, and marketing.

Together, those activities illustrate how a local production business can generate economic activity beyond its own employees, connecting a South Texas brand with suppliers, service providers, and customers.

The project also marks a new chapter for a site previously used as a food truck park. Garza described the brewery as the next phase of development in the area the EDC calls Midtown, following its new office space at the transit center and parking improvements. Further development could include additional restaurants, entertainment, and gathering places.

Mayor Omar Ochoa connected the announcement to downtown’s broader transformation, citing investments in the ACE Center, amphitheater, and surrounding businesses. EDC Board President Richard Gonzales said the project reflected more than two years of work among the city, the EDC, and business owners, with the goal of bringing activity and community life back to the site.

City Council members, EDC board members, brewery partners, veterans, and community supporters joined the announcement.

For 5x5, the move builds on relationships developed in Edinburg over several years. Rice said the city’s growing entertainment offerings and the company’s longstanding involvement in local events helped make it a strong fit.

The brewery also plans to renew its veteran employment initiative. Rice said the company intends to work with UTRGV’s veteran services office to connect transitioning veterans with employment opportunities as they complete their education.

Beyond employment, he sees the new location as a welcoming place for veterans, their families, and the wider community.

“It’s a good rallying point for a lot of vets to go to,” Rice said.

Rice estimated a seven-to-nine-month timeline and said the company plans a major public celebration when the facility opens.

For Edinburg, the project connects manufacturing investment with the development of a more active downtown. For South Texas, it demonstrates the value of helping regional businesses grow close to home—creating products, supporting local suppliers, and building places where economic opportunity and community life can develop together.