STANISLAUS COUNTY — BEAM Circular has been awarded $10.367 million through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, a move expected to bring new economic opportunities to California’s North San Joaquin Valley — including underserved Westside communities long seeking sustainable industry growth.
Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced the funding last week as part of an $80 million statewide investment across 18 counties. The initiative aims to create quality jobs, strengthen local economies, and advance climate resilience through regionally tailored projects.
BEAM Circular, a nonprofit focused on circular bioeconomy innovation, will use the funds to accelerate development of the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus — a pilot-scale bioproduction facility designed to transform organic waste into bio-based products and clean energy. The facility is expected to catalyze biomanufacturing growth, attract new ventures, and create high-quality jobs in one of the Central Valley’s most promising sectors.
Karen Warner, CEO of BEAM Circular, said the funding will help local farmers capture more value from agricultural byproducts and ensure that communities across the region benefit directly from the emerging bioeconomy.
While the Innovation Campus will serve the broader North San Joaquin Valley, its potential impact on the Westside — including towns like Newman, Gustine, and Patterson — could be significant. These rural communities, often overlooked in large-scale economic development plans, stand to gain from new workforce training programs, expanded career pipelines, and increased investment in climate-resilient technologies.
The grant will also support business growth initiatives and technology deployment aimed at reducing organic waste and supporting sustainable agriculture — priorities that align with the needs of Westside growers and processors.
BEAM Circular works with more than 100 partners across the region to develop bio-based solutions that address environmental challenges while creating local economic opportunities. With the new funding, the organization hopes to position the North San Joaquin Valley as a national leader in circular bioeconomy innovation.
