$9.8 Million Secured to Develop California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus in North San Joaquin Valley
State and regional funding propels development of key project to secure California leadership in growing bioeconomy sector.
For Immediate Release:
July 1, 2025
Modesto, CA (July 1, 2025) — BEAM Circular announced today a major milestone for California's clean technology and biomanufacturing future with $9.8 million in new funding secured for the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus—a state-of-the-art facility designed to scale breakthrough technologies that convert agricultural byproducts, food waste, and forestry residues into renewable energy, sustainable materials, and other valuable products.
The funding comes from two significant sources: $8 million allocated through the recently finalized 2025 California State Budget, and $1.8 million in Catalyst Funding from regional economic development convener North Valley THRIVE through the California Jobs First Program.
The California State Budget allocation was secured thanks to an official budget request led by Senator Jerry McNerney and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom.
“The Legislature and Governor Newsom’s decision to invest in BEAM Circular via the state budget is great news -- a win-win for the Northern San Joaquin Valley and the rest of California. It will bring high-quality jobs, benefit farmers and growers, and accelerate wildfire solutions, while helping the state meet its climate goals,” said Senator Jerry McNerney. “The $8 million budget investment will also enable California to remain a leader in the burgeoning bioeconomy, which focuses on transforming agricultural waste, forest residue, and other bio wastes into viable bioproducts, rather than relying on fossil fuels.”
The Campus is a key pillar of circular bioeconomy innovation and bioindustry development efforts led by CBIO Collaborative, a coalition of over 100 public and private partners coordinated by BEAM Circular, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, UC Merced, the Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley, and WE Will!, the North San Joaquin Valley’s K16 Regional Collaborative.
“We’re proud of this investment made by North Valley THRIVE – it will help advance a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring new industry and jobs to our region,” said Erick Serrato, Director of North Valley THRIVE. “Truly catalytic.”
Located in the North San Joaquin Valley, in the center of California’s agricultural heartland, the Campus will serve as critical infrastructure to support California's transition to a circular, low-carbon economy. By addressing the "valley of death" in biotechnology—the gap between research and commercial manufacturing—the facility will provide innovators and businesses with the resources needed to bring promising bio-based products to market.
The Campus will offer shared facilities for entrepreneurs, support workforce training, and de-risk technologies that unlock new industry opportunities across California’s rural and agricultural regions, specializing in upcycling of locally-sourced biomass waste.
"This is a major step forward for California's leadership in the global bioeconomy," said Karen Warner, CEO of BEAM Circular. "Our community is building the infrastructure to turn waste into opportunity—powering a more resilient and inclusive economy, protecting our environment, and creating a new generation of green jobs."
Key Benefits of the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus include:
Sustainable Resource Management: Enable transformation of agricultural byproducts, food waste, and forestry residues into valuable resources - reducing demands on land and precious resources
High-Quality Jobs: Support the creation of thousands of good-paying jobs through biomanufacturing attraction and development, with bioindustrial roles averaging 40% more than the regional median wage in the San Joaquin Valley
Wildfire Risk Mitigation: Help reduce wildfire threats by utilizing excess woody biomass cleared for healthy forest management
Climate Benefits: Reduce methane emissions, divert fossil fuel use, and promote carbon sequestration
Economic Development: Keep bioeconomy innovation, investment, and manufacturing rooted in California
This investment aligns with California's recent designation of the bioeconomy as a priority sector in its Economic Blueprint, underscoring the state's commitment to sustainable industry development and quality job creation.
"We’re excited to secure this $8 million investment in building a stronger circular economy right here in the Central Valley,” said Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom. “For generations, we’ve fed the world through agriculture - and now, even our agricultural scraps are helping fuel the future. We’re not only growing crops; we’re growing innovation, good-paying jobs, and real solutions to climate challenges. We are ready to lead California’s bioeconomy, and I’m proud to help make sure we don’t just keep up - we set the pace.”
The project has received support from a broad, bipartisan group of public officials at the local, state, and federal levels, including key backing from State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil and State Assemblymember Juan Alanis.
BEAM Circular recently signed a Letter of Intent with the Valley Building Trades Council to develop the project under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring that the project’s construction will create high-quality union jobs.
"The Valley Building Trades are proud to partner with BEAM Circular to build the infrastructure needed to create sustainable manufacturing jobs in our region," said Corey Van Rys, Secretary-Treasurer of Valley Building and Construction Trades Council. "Our members are ready to build this state-of-the-art facility that will reduce waste, mitigate wildfire risk, and create valuable bio-based products while providing family-supporting careers for local residents."
"The North Valley Labor Federation strongly supports this innovative project because it aligns with our vision for creating sustainable, high-quality jobs," said Will Kelly, Executive Director of the North Valley Labor Federation. "The bioeconomy represents a significant growth opportunity for our region, and we're committed to ensuring working families benefit from this transition to a more sustainable future."
About BEAM Circular: BEAM Circular is a nonprofit organization that serves as a hub for circular bioeconomy innovation, workforce development, and industry growth in California’s agricultural heartland. BEAM Circular works with over 100 partners across the North San Joaquin Valley and beyond to develop bio-based solutions that transform waste into valuable products while creating local economic opportunities and addressing environmental challenges. The California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus is BEAM Circular’s flagship project to build critical infrastructure that will accelerate California's transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. www.beamcircular.org
