My silly idea...

If you're going to spend that much i would invest a little more and get at least a 20 gal system. Seems like a waste to spend 2k and only do 10 gals. I know if i had the space my first biggest investment would be a temperature controlled conical fermentor.

 

You could always volunteer at a local brewery, no? Free for you other than your time, but I'm sure the owners will be 'all business' so it's not much of a hobby. You'd presumably be brewing a couple flagships as well, plus you don't have to sink your extra income into equipment you may not use forever.

 

For every law. There are plenty of grey areas and ways to get around them if you stay low and underground. My first thought is increase your capacity by a bit. It all takes the same amount of time, so you might as well get more booze for your efforts. Keep those efforts in the know only, and work your way up.
Check the used markets, there is always equipment people don't need anymore.

 

If you want repeatability from batch, make sure you build a system to control mash temps, always pitch enough yeast, and most importantly precisely control your fermentation temperatures.