Large-scale bioindustry testing hub planned for Stanislaus County. Here’s where
A three-year search has settled on the Beard Industrial District for the largest piece of the bioindustry push in and near Stanislaus County.
The site near southeast Modesto would accommodate large-scale testing of ideas for turning crop and other waste into new products.
BEAM Circular and its partners have secured the $17 million needed for the first phase, CEO Karen Warner said by email Monday. It could be ready in early 2027. The funding is from state and federal sources.
The organizers are not yet disclosing the exact address or the purchase price. Beard already has 20-plus companies, mostly food and beverage, and extensive vacant land.
The backers aim to create tens of thousands of new jobs in climate-friendly ventures. The idea grew out of the Stanislaus 2030 report but also takes in other counties. Merced and San Joaquin have similar orchards, vineyards and dairy farms. Tuolumne County could send wood thinned from its dense forests.
The tentative selection had not been public until it turned up deep in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s evening meeting of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. It gets a quarterly update on various aspects of bioindustry. This is part of the consent calendar, usually approved without comment.
The selection does not need county board approval, because the location already is zoned for industry. BEAM Circular still must finalize the deal with Beard.
The milestone will be celebrated as part of a gathering Thursday in Lodi, called BioCatalyst. It will feature several startups and leaders in government and business. Tickets are sold out.
The effort seeks to convert the waste into fuels, building materials, textiles and other goods. It has been guided by experts at the University of California, but their laboratory space is tight. The Beard site, called the Innovation Campus, would provide up to about 10 acres to handle wastes such as nut shells. grape skins and cornstalks.
The funding consists of $15.8 million from state sources and $1.2 million from federal aid to the county during COVID-19. The former includes $1.8 million through North Valley Thrive, a job-creation program also taking in Merced and San Joaquin counties.
The process began in 2023 with general discussion on the Innovation Campus design. The search team sought to keep it at least 2,500 feet from homes while avoiding prime farmland. The site needed good truck access and water and sewer hookups. The electricity will be renewable, of a type yet to be announced.
The planners have an agreement to build the campus with union labor. They expect to employ 100 to 140 people at full buildout, including a visitor center and youth education.
BEAM Circular is based in Modesto. The acronym stands for BioEconomy Agriculture & Manufacturing.
Stanislaus 2030 has spawned separate programs to train the bioindustry workforce and to foster small business in general. The latter includes home-based childcare.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 12:12 PM.
