BEAM Circular Receives $500K from Stanislaus County to Further Circular Bioeconomy Development

Stanislaus County renews commitment to innovation and equitable economic development through funding of non-profit circular bioeconomy pioneer

BEAM Circular today announced $500,000 in investment approved by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. This renewal of funding by Stanislaus County is part of the strategic funding commitment approved last year by the County to advance the region’s circular bioeconomy sector and will support BEAM Circular’s ongoing deployment of collaborative projects that fuel the creation of quality jobs and environmental solutions.

“We’d like to thank the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors for their continued vision in supporting innovation and economic prosperity in our region,” said Karen Warner, BEAM Circular’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Every dollar we receive from the County will help us attract new industry, support local farmers and businesses to thrive and adopt new sustainability practices, create new jobs that pay living wages, and prepare our workforce for careers of the future. We look forward to continuing to execute on our shared vision of building a more vibrant and inclusive local economy.”

Stanislaus County sits in the center of a tri-county area known as the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV), which also includes Merced and San Joaquin Counties. This announcement underscores how communities around the region are directing local public and private resources to nurture the growth of the regional bioindustry and have rallied around a shared vision for the future economy.

What is the circular bioeconomy?

The term “circular bioeconomy” emphasizes environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices and solutions that limit waste and reduce pollution by repurposing biomass residues from existing activities, such as agricultural production, food processing, and municipal waste management. Biomanufacturing turns this organic waste material into valuable new products, ranging from fuels to materials to food products.

Why does the circular bioeconomy matter to the North San Joaquin Valley?

Building a circular bioeconomy in the NSJV means turning agricultural waste into new revenue streams instead of burning or otherwise disposing of the material in ways that add to pollution. This will help agriculture businesses remain viable, create new family-sustaining jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in the region, and improve air and water quality among other benefits. The region is uniquely situated and equipped to build this new ecosystem.

The NSJV received California’s first Certified Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone (BDO Zone) designation earlier this year. The region is home to abundant expertise in agriculture and manufacturing, with access to world-class biotechnology innovation. It offers a talented workforce, engaged educational and workforce development institutions, supportive regional governments, and a growing population.

Who else will benefit from this new development?

While this funding will help directly scale the circular bioeconomy in the NSJV, this emerging ecosystem’s value extends far beyond. Manufacturers and innovators throughout California, across the United States, and around the world can benefit from the region’s leadership in waste utilization.  

For more about the circular bioeconomy and what makes the NSJV ideal for biomanufacturing, visit beamcircular.org/circular-bioeconomy. Subscribe to emails on the website or follow along on LinkedIn or Instagram for regular updates.