Fresno State Will Open New Forge Facility
The 12,000-square-foot manufacturing and research center will support local economic development in Fresno.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Fresno State is transforming an existing building into the Forge, a new manufacturing and research facility designed to retain local jobs. The project is supported by $4.39 million in funding from California Jobs First.
Why it matters
The Forge will provide essential prototyping resources and technical equipment that are currently missing in the Central Valley. By offering access to office space and a 1,000-acre campus farm, the facility helps regional entrepreneurs develop and test products locally.
The Forge will occupy a 12,000-square-foot space on campus. Its operations build on the WET Center, which has engaged more than 500 startups that have collectively raised over $450 million in investment.
The players
Fresno State
The California State University campus serves as an educational and research hub for the Central Valley region.
California Jobs First
This state-led initiative provides targeted funding to support economic development and job creation across California.
Water, Energy and Technology Center
This organization acts as an incubator and accelerator for startups, providing mentorship and resources for emerging companies.
The details
Located near Cedar and Sierra avenues, the facility will include dedicated office space and a biosafety lab to aid startups in product development. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to modify and test their innovations using the university's 1,000-acre farm.
Timeline
The Forge facility is expected to open in approximately 18 to 24 months.
Market Landscape
The development of the Forge marks a shift toward integrating specialized manufacturing hardware with traditional university research incubation. This positions Fresno State to better compete with industrial accelerators by offering direct prototyping capabilities to its network of startup companies.
Local entrepreneurs and startup founders will gain access to specialized prototyping resources and biosafety labs that were previously unavailable in the area. This facility is expected to bolster the local economy by keeping tech-driven jobs and investment within the Central Valley.
The takeaway
The Forge represents a significant expansion of the university's role as a regional economic engine. Entrepreneurs looking to scale in the Central Valley should monitor the facility's progress for future access to its specialized manufacturing equipment.
Further reading
Learn more about local industry trends in the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Collegian.
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