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Beam Circular outlines regional bioeconomy plans, highlights workforce grants and local pilots
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Summary
Representatives from Beam Circular told Riverbank council they have brought more than $45 million into the North San Joaquin Valley and are pursuing a California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus; presenters emphasized workforce training, grants and local pilot companies and invited residents to a Nov. 5 summit at Stanislaus State.
Beam Circular, a Modesto‑based nonprofit focused on converting agricultural and food waste into marketable bio‑based products, presented its regional strategy and local activities to the Riverbank City Council on Oct. 14. Crystal Assurpta, Beam Circular’s vice president of public policy and development, said the organization was created out of a county economic development planning process to grow a circular bioeconomy in the North San Joaquin Valley.
"We've already brought in more than $45,000,000 in public and private capital into the region," Assurpta told council members, and she described recent grant successes that include a multi‑million dollar state allocation and a jobs grant she said was awarded to the organization. Assurpta said Beam Circular was launched in 2023 with initial ARPA seed funding from Stanislaus County and is now positioning the region to attract biomanufacturing and value‑added uses for biomass feedstocks such as almond shells, winery pomace and other agricultural byproducts.
Brianna Gonzales, community partnerships manager, described local workforce and education efforts, including paid internships, early career exposure programs with Modesto Junior College and K‑12 grants for laboratory upgrades. She detailed a pilot startup accelerator that provided six companies with investment and mentorship; examples included firms developing biodegradable packaging, sustainable herbicide from almond shells, and conversion of agricultural liquid waste into hydrogen and fertilizer.
Assurpta said one of Beam Circular’s anchor projects is a proposed California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus — described as shared scaling infrastructure for startups — and that site selection is in progress within Stanislaus County. Asked about siting in Riverbank, Assurpta said the campus will be located in Stanislaus County and that they are narrowing site options but have not made a final decision.
Beam Circular promoted a California Circular Bioeconomy Summit scheduled for Nov. 5 at Stanislaus State. Council members thanked the presenters, and staff and commissioners discussed possible local partnerships and continued engagement.
The presentation is informational; no council action was taken on Beam Circular’s proposals at the Oct. 14 meeting. Staff and presenters encouraged residents interested in the summit and committee membership to contact Beam Circular.
