Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering is part of a regional manufacturing strategy receiving funding through California Jobs First. The college’s Forge Project will support applied research, prototyping and commercialization in advanced manufacturing.

Fresno State will receive $4.36 million through California Jobs First to create The Forge, an innovation and commercialization hub designed to help entrepreneurs and emerging companies build, test and grow their businesses in the Central Valley. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced the investment Aug. 26 as part of a $48.5 million awarded across eight economic regions and 33 counties to support job creation and regional economic growth.

Part of $10.4M for Valley

The Forge investment is part of more than $10.4 million awarded to a portfolio of Central Valley manufacturing projects developed with the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance and other education, workforce and economic development partners.

“For too long, entrepreneurs and emerging companies from our region have had to look elsewhere for the specialized facilities, technical support and connections they need to grow,” President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said. “The Forge will help change that. We want innovators to start here, build here, manufacture here and create jobs here.”

A hub for supporting innovation

The hub will support startups in advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, ag-tech, biotech and related fields, including ventures started by Fresno State faculty, staff and students. 

Entrepreneurs will have access to specialized resources, technical expertise and connections to industry, investors and regional partners.

Partners include the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance, Plug and Play, F3i, Fresno County Economic Development Corp., the cities of Fresno and Clovis and the Central Valley Community Foundation.

Dr. Ram Nunna, special assistant to the president for strategic partnerships and dean of the Lyles College of Engineering, led the development of The Forge and the funding effort.