River Bend Distillery is Turning Possibility into Production 

How Justin Neppl Reimagined a Community Landmark in Breckenridge 

Justin Neppl’s days move fast. When he isn’t helping manage his and his wife’s child-care business, he’s coaching hockey or shuttling kids to hockey, baseball, or volleyball—and keeping track of another child in college. 

It’s a full life built around family, community, and showing up when people need you. That same mindset led Justin to one of the most ambitious projects of his career: creating River Bend Distillery in Breckenridge. 

The idea didn’t begin with a dream of distilling spirits. It began with a building. 

Seeing Opportunity in an Old Water Plant 

One morning, Justin drove past Breckenridge’s old water treatment plant. A new facility was coming online, and the sturdy structure sat idle. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. What would happen to it? Would it simply be torn down? 

At the time, Justin was working in economic development, so asking those questions came naturally. He reached out to city staff and learned the building was structurally sound. Demolition funding was available—but Justin saw potential instead of a wrecking ball. “I asked if we could try to figure out a new purpose for the building, if we could get somebody in there.” 

He promoted the property and approached local homebrewers and entrepreneurs about opening a brewery in the old plant. Despite interest, no one stepped forward. 

Then, almost by accident, Justin discovered brewing equipment that dramatically automated production. “That started me down a path of, well, instead of maybe convincing somebody else to open up a brewery, maybe I do it myself.” 

From Brewery Idea to Distillery Pivot 

Justin wasn’t new to business or risk with nearly a decade in banking.  He spent years helping entrepreneurs through small business development centers in both North Dakota and Minnesota. 

So, when the City of Breckenridge formally opened a request for proposals on the old water plant, Justin pitched a brewery concept. His proposal was selected. 

“I like the startup process. I like the challenge,” he said. 

Yet as he dug deeper into the brewery industry, he encountered a sobering reality. Breweries across Minnesota — and nationally — were struggling with more closures than openings. On one brewery tour, Justin asked the owners what they might do differently. “They said if they were starting over, they would build a distillery instead. So, I pivoted.” 

In truth, Justin admits the building itself remained the driving force while the distillery became the solution that made long-term sense. 

“I think I found something that is really cool and fun, and that I have a lot of passion for,” he said. 

Building with the Right Partners 

Like many entrepreneurs, Justin faced challenges along the way. But he didn’t navigate them alone. 

He reached out to our Director of Business & Economic Development, Greg Wagner, to keep our lending team informed as the project developed. Justin had worked with Greg and our organization before and understood the role we play in regional economic development. 

Mid-Minnesota Development Commission ultimately stepped forward to help move the project ahead. Together with West Central Initiative and the City of Breckenridge’s port authority, they helped assemble a financing package that made River Bend Distillery possible. 

For Justin, the experience reinforced that strong networks matter.  

A New Chapter for a Historic Space 

The name River Bend Distillery reflects both geography and personal history. Justin’s family lives on the River Bend Trail, where many important conversations about the project unfolded around the kitchen table. The distillery itself sits on a bend of the Otter Tail River, just before it flows into the Red River of the North. 

Community support has been steady. Justin credits Breckenridge and Wilkin County’s collaborative culture, where leaders focus on removing barriers rather than creating them. 

Construction is now underway for River Bend Distillery with plans to open this year (2026) as a food-grade production and bottling facility focused on distribution. A tasting room may come later. 

For now, the goal is to produce something people love, build something sustainable, and prove that with persistence and the right partners, even an old water plant can become a new point of pride for a community. 

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