By Faughn Economy • New Developments 0 Comments

Madera County begins multi-million-dollar Rio Mesa Blvd expansion project

A multi-million-dollar project that will expand Rio Mesa Boulevard in Madera County broke ground Thursday. The project was first envisioned in 1995.

Officials say that this paves the path forward for a safer commute and infrastructure that will serve residents, homeowners, businesses and drivers for generations to come.

Madera County Supervisor Bobby Macaulay said that Thursday’s celebration is more than just the start of a road project. “It’s the beginning of a long-planned investment in the future of Madera County,” Macaulay said.

The project will have modern infrastructure, a multimodal design and utilities built to support full build-out, Macaulay said. It will have two travel lanes, a bike lane, landscaping and a total right-of-way. The Highway 41 bypass project design will stretch from Avenue 15 to Avenue 12. Completion of the project’s first phase is slated for 2026.

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/rio-mesa-boulevard-expansion/

By Faughn New Developments 0 Comments

Tulare County greenlights rezoning of 718 acres near Goshen for industry, future development

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to rezone 718 acres of farmland northwest of Goshen to accommodate both industry and additional uses in the future.

The board approved the initiation of a general plan amendment on July 22, which would allow development of the area once all environmental studies are complete. The new zoning designation would be considered “mixed use.”

The developer proposed building an industrial park on 190 acres west of Highway 99. The project was submitted to the county by developer Panattoni Development of Sacramento in collaboration with real estate firm Colliers International.

The project was submitted to the county at their Project Review Committee meeting in June.

The site plan shows five large buildings of various sizes that add up to 3.85 million square feet along Highway 99.

Development of the 718-acre plan would require cooperation with the City of Visalia, which supplies sewer service to Goshen, and approval from CalWater, which supplies water to the community.

Another notable part of the plan includes rezoning 137 acres at the northwest corner of Highways 99 and 198, also currently in agriculture. County Economic Development Manager Michael Washam said there’s no specific plan to develop this acreage, but he has seen interest in the past. The site enjoys the highest pass-by traffic count in the region. In addition to these industrial and commercial potential projects, Goshen is slated for more housing projects due to available land there, including this initiative to open more, but depending on sewer capacity from the City of Visalia. San Joaquin Valley Homes and Self Help Enterprises are currently busy with projects in Goshen.

It remains to be seen how Visalia will respond to these large-scale projects near the city limits. Recently, the City of Visalia initiated its 900-acre expansion plan for industrial and other commercial development near the airport.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/tulare-county-greenlights-rezoning-of-718-acres-near-goshen-for-industry-future-development/?mc_cid=ca9408d1be&mc_eid=bd857719cb

By Faughn Economy • New Developments • Tourism • Workforce 0 Comments

Visalia’s retail growth just doubled the national average, what’s behind the surge?

The Visalia metropolitan area more than doubled the national average for retail growth between 2020 and 2024, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. The report, conducted by Michigan-based printer Printastic, ranked the area 27th for retail establishment growth among midsize U.S. metropolitan areas, with an 8.1% increase. The analysis also showed that retail employment in the area increased 9.5% during the same period. Nationally, the increase in retail stores was 3.7% between 2020 and 2024, according to the report. The study showed that there were 1,123 retail establishments in the Visalia metro area last year, and they employed a total of 16,668 people. These numbers indicate increases of 84 retail establishments and 1,450 retail employees since 2020.

“That’s consistent with what I’m seeing in terms of new building permit activity for retail and the buildout of new shopping centers across town, not only on Mooney, but in North Visalia (Orchard Walk West and the North Costco) and East Visalia (The Hub at Walnut and Lovers Lane, and the second Vallarta by Noble and Lovers Lane),” said Devon Jones, Visalia economic development manager.

Jones offered three reasons for the local growth in retail business.

“First and foremost, we are fortunate to have excellent retail development and property owner partners such as Paynter Realty, Brookfield Properties, the Orosco Group, Cal Gold Development, and the Shehadey and Shannon Families to name a few,” he said. “We’re lucky to have lots of investment interest in Visalia and will continue to be a strong development partner for those that choose to invest in us.”

Jones said that Visalia is fortunate to be the metro center for the Tulare/Kings and southern Fresno County region.

“Being the metro and services hub gives us the benefit of drawing visits from the broader trade area population beyond our own city’s population,” Jones said. “This gives us a true ability to provide quality sites for regional retail tenants. This is in addition to the flow of visitors we see annually for Convention Center events and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.”

Lastly, Jones said that the city is remains focused on the “basic formula” for sound economic development and economic diversification.

“That is, creating primary jobs that add outside wealth into the local economy to spur new job creation that leads to new housing demand, which in turn generates more demand for local services such as retail, healthcare, education, etc.,” Jones said.

Primary jobs are those that produce goods and services in excess of what can be consumed at the local level, thereby exporting income into the local economy, he explained.

“Essentially, this export income grows the local economic pie that we divide up amongst ourselves – other businesses/vendors, public agencies, local services,” Jones said.

“In Visalia, we are blessed to have many primary job sectors including health care and tourism, but the sectors with the greatest reach are those typically found in our industrial park, such as food processing, manufacturing, and logistics/distribution,” he added. “Many of these businesses serve international, nationwide, or Western U.S. markets. Luckily, we have lots of great companies in our industrial park and again, have strong industrial development partners that will help us to realize more growth for years to come.”

There is an effort to encourage future growth, according to Jones.

“We will continue to focus on economic diversification and primary job creation as a core economic development priority, and also be a strong development partner for those seeking to invest in Visalia, whether it be commercial, industrial, or residential,” he said.

https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2025/05/15/visalia-metropolitan-retail-area-is-booming-heres-whats-driving-growth/83589547007/

By Faughn Food Processing • New Developments 0 Comments

Local pistachio growers plan expansion | John Lindt

Central Valley pistachio growers, including a number from Kings County, are moving to expand their processing capacity this year. One big player in this group is Setton Pistachios with their main processing headquarters in Terra Bella. The company has now purchased the former Touchstone Pistachio plant owned by the Assemi Group also in Terra Bella. The purchase was through the bankruptcy process that has now been completed says Setton Pistachios general manager Lee Cohen. The facility is the former Aro Pistachio plant just a few miles from Setton.

“We are planning to operate the plant this fall” in time for the harvest of 2025, states Cohen. The facility is small by Setton standards — they are the No. 2 pistachio grower in the US,  producing about 125,000,000 pounds of pistachios annually. That number is growing not only with this new local facility but a new Yolo County plant.

The collapse of the Assemi empire not only provided an opportunity for Setton to again expand their processing capacity, it also likely has motivated other smaller pistachio growers to think about expansion at this time. Another key factor is the growing popularity of pistachios, particularly new food uses for the popular snack nut as well as new research indicating the health benefits of pistachios. Helping to bolster demand for pistachios is a new food product called Dubai chocolate — a bar that contains filling made with pistachios. The product was promoted by social media influencers, especially on TikTok, and has spread like wildfire to other companies offering a similar products. The product is now a hot seller on Amazon and on the shelves at Costco and at the ice cream parlors of Baskin Robbins.

NPR reported last fall that the internet had “gone bananas” for Dubai chocolate. The chocolate bars are like a KitKat bar stuffed with pistachio nuts and aromatic pistachio nougat, says NPR. On the health front, new research says the snack nut provides a measurable source of lutein, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your eyes. Pistachios are the only nut that provides a source of lutein.

Cohen says this fall’s pistachio crop looks smaller than previously thought, likely to come in at 1.5 to 1.6 billion pounds offering good quality on about 25,000 new bearing acres to harvest. The predictions are for the pistachio crop in California to grow typically most years, having reached the 1 billion pound mark in 2020 and perhaps a doubling by 2030 over today’s numbers.

Also looking to boost their production, at least three pistachio growers and processors in Kings County are indicating expansion plans.

Those include a new company, Golden Harvest Pistachios, who is converting a walnut operation to the pistachio nut project — filed with the county. The new plant is at 14662 Seventh Ave., Hanford, says the Kings Planning Department. Applicant Nader Malakan plans a dry hulling and peeling system at Golden Harvest Pistachio. The company plans to construct an 8,000 square foot warehouse, 21 silos covering approximately 64,537 square feet, catwalks, and additional parking.

In the past week two more projects were announced

California Pistachios has filed a plan with Kings County as well near Kettleman City. The company is proposing to expand an existing pistachio processing facility in two phases. Phase 1 includes a new 72,000 square foot processing building and truck dock, two shaker decks, two silos, two cat walks, two silo feed conveyors and three  EV charging stations. Phase 2 includes the installation of 22 additional silos for a total of 24 silos. The existing pistachio processing facility is located at 30650 Quebec Avenue.

Nichols Farms wants to enlarge capacity as well. A proposal to expand an existing pistachio plant located at 13868 First Avenue, Hanford, Assessor’s Parcel Number 016-230-036 in two phases. Phase 1 includes the installation of two silo dryers, two harvest receiving pits, five harvest dryers, six silos, one  12,000 square foot processing building, one product receiving pit and four  aspirators. Phase 2 includes the installation of nine additional silos for a total of 15 silos.

The family-owned farm is already a major player in the Kings County pistachio industry. They have a one-megawatt solar facility on First Avenue that powers their processing plant.

Between these three Kings processors they plan to add some 60 new massive silos, a good measurement to gauge what growers expect to store and ship in the near future. Pistachios must be hauled and dried quickly after the harvest, and then stored in the big silos.

Other pistachio processors in the two county region include Keenan Farms in Kettleman City, Horizon Nut in Tulare and Wonderful Pistachios in Lost Hills, the largest of all the pistachio growers. Many of the workers who work at the Lost Hills farms live in Avenal in King County.

https://hanfordsentinel.com/business/agriculture/local-pistachio-growers-plan-expansion-john-lindt/article_b25d768e-36f7-413c-8863-b594e3757a7a.html

By Faughn New Developments • Tourism • Workforce 0 Comments

A big supermarket is coming to Madera. Can it spur a Highway 41 retail surge?

A 40,000-square-foot supermarket is coming to the Riverstone community, marking a long-awaited arrival of a grocery store to serve the growing neighborhoods of southeast Madera County. The Sacramento-based grocer has announced plans to build a Raley’s O-N-E (“organics, nutrition, education”) store as part of a 61,000-square-foot expansion of retail space at Riverstone’s Riverwalk shopping center at Avenue 12 and Highway 41. Riverwalk already features several storefronts and is planned as the future home of a Riley’s Brewing Co. project that will add another restaurant, brewery, taproom and farmers market event center. But the arrival of a supermarket means residents of Riverstone, Tesoro Viejo and other Highway 41 neighborhoods will no longer have to travel elsewhere for groceries. “This new store won’t just serve our residents — it will become a destination for the surrounding region, offering convenient access to healthy, fresh food and a shopping experience that reflects the values and lifestyle we’re building here in Riverstone,” Tim Jones, the community’s developer, said in a news release Tuesday.

This Raley’s would be the second in Madera County. According to the company’s announcement, the Riverstone location will “include an extensive selection of fresh prepared foods, natural and organic products, locally sourced produce, and a café.” Construction is expected to begin early next year and the store could open in 2027. Raley’s a ‘catalyst’ for retail?

The coming construction of a supermarket as a retail anchor for Riverwalk also represents a significant step toward a future where enough new storefront pop up to fill residents’ needs along the Highway 41 corridor. The area, which has experienced a housing boom since Riverstone began selling homes in 2017, is home to several large commercial centers in the planning stages. In Tesoro Viejo, developers plan to offer 3 million square feet of non-residential space for businesses. To the south, Valley Children’s Hospital plans to build “The Hill,” a mixed-use development that will include 30 stores on 443 acres of its property near the San Joaquin River. At full-buildout, Riverstone’s Riverwalk would be a 1 million-square-foot retail-focused development.

District 1 Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff said the arrival of Raley’s represents a “huge boon” for the area. “This store is going to serve as a catalyst for other development in that area,” he said in a statement. “It’s going to open up a new wave of retail, commercial shopping centers.”

Kristina Gallagher, executive director of the Madera County Economic Development Commission, said in a Wednesday phone interview that multiple businesses are going through the process of completing letters of intent to lease space at Riverwalk. But for now, the names of those businesses have to remain confidential, she said. “We’re looking at all kinds of options,” she said. Riley’s Brewing Co. still coming to Riverstone, owner says Riley’s Brewing Co. is still planning on building a brewery, restaurant and a 12,000-plus square-foot taproom and farmers market event center in the Riverstone shopping center. The company’s owner, Dan Riley, first announced the brewery’s Riverstone plans in 2023, describing the project as a “beer garden … designed to be kind of the local hangout.” But the year before the announcement, a fire had destroyed the brewery’s main facility in Madera. Since then, the brewery has opened a taphouse in Selma, but Riley said he is still waiting for banking approval for the planned Riverstone location. “Things have been a little bit slow with the economy and the fire we had, but we’re still moving forward,” he said. Riley said the arrival of the Raley’s supermarket will provide some assurance to shop-owners that business will be strong at Riverstone. “I always believe one plus one is three,” he said. “The more things for people to do there, the better.”

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article306908471.html

By Faughn Food Processing • New Developments 0 Comments

Kern County dairy community celebrates new milk bottling plant

When you think of Kern County, you may think about oil rigs by the thousands, as the county feeds the nation. Now, move over, because Kern County’s dairy industry is taking off with Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This is going to take us to a place of leadership,” said Brad Anderson, with California Dairies. “Leadership in California. Leadership in the U.S., and leadership globally as we look to ship out, and feed the world with the world’s most nutritious product.”

California’s dairy community came together to celebrate the opening of the Valley Natural Beverages milk processing plant, which was funded by dairy farmers. The 200,000 square foot plant is located at 8801 Gosford Road in southwest Bakersfield. California Dairies Inc. said the Valley Natural Beverages dairy plant is the most technologically advanced processing facility in the world, and state government wants to keep it that way.

California Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, said, “We, certainly in the office of the Lieutenant Governor, but across the administration, will do everything we can to promote your products so that you have the widest reach for markets everywhere.” The plant makes (ESL) milk, or extended shelf life milk, extending the shelf life up to six months, but you still have to refrigerate it after opening.

California Dairies Chairman, Cory Vanderham, said, “It allows us to send it over to the international market. Be able to send it overseas. Also, (UHT) ultra high temperature milk…where we’re able to pasteurize it at a really hot temperature with some steam, where it doesn’t change the components of the milk, and be able to bottle that as well.”

It took 18 months, from the shovel going into dirt at the groundbreaking, to the first truck transporting milk. The milk bottling facility has been operating since December.

But, the plant full of innovation and collaboration, wouldn’t let 17 News in with a camera to bring you video.

Plus, the milk is still missing a brand. California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross, said, “Do we have a name for the milk? Something really special, right? Well, there’s a branding opportunity to make sure that everyone who bought that knows that farmer’s, and families stand behind us. I’m just sayin’.”

The first of three phases was completed after 100 people were employed at the plant. Phase two includes installing more production lines.Phase three involves expanding the milk bottling plant another 150,000 square feet, according to California Dairies Inc.

https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/kern-county-dairy-community-celebrates-new-milk-bottling-plant/

By Faughn Economy • New Developments 0 Comments

Dignity Village opens in Modesto with 42 tiny homes. A place to stop the downhill slide

A 42-unit complex providing interim housing for people battling homelessness and other challenges has opened in Modesto.

Ceremonies were held Thursday for Dignity Village, at the corner of Ninth and E streets, and the first residents will start moving in this weekend.

Officials said the 42 tiny houses will provide a safe and comfortable home for adults while they recover from substance use and mental health disorders. The housing program will include services and support to help them with their individual challenges.

Stanislaus County and the city of Modesto were partners in the project, which also engaged community groups in preparing the units for the first tenants. Volunteers and local groups adopted cabins and, on March 22, decorated the small units without knowing who would occupy them.

A team of case managers and social workers from the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office adopted a cabin and brought in toiletries, pictures, curtains, pillows and a welcome mat.

The unit was fresh off construction, so the team first wiped away the dust on the ceiling and the floor.

“If you have been on the streets for a long time, it’s a rough transition at first,” said Shelli Margarite, a client support manager who posed for a picture with co-workers at the cabin. “We really wanted to make it a home.” Mayor Sue Zwahlen expressed hope that Dignity Village can make a difference as the city grapples with the homeless crisis. “Having a roof over their heads gives them a real chance for recovery and hope for a better tomorrow,” Zwahlen said.

The county and Modesto collaborated with Dignity Moves to develop the complex on city-owned property after Stanislaus County was awarded more than $3 million in state Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program funds in June 2023.

The fenced complex has toilets, showers, dining areas, offices, laundry, social areas and a dog run. Residents will stay in the interim housing for three to six months until ready for the next step to permanent housing.

Ruben Imperial, director of county Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, said those participating in Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court will have priority for some housing units as clients comply with treatment plans for mental disorders.For participants in CARE Court, the state program known for court-supervised treatment of adults with schizophrenic disorders, access to housing is considered essential. But Dignity Village also will house adults getting substance use therapy through Senate Bill 43 and other behavioral health programs.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dignity-village-opens-modesto-42-201148720.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Z3B0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGEoMKQD4h0ZeuRcxvTURNdyW5vt6z6tHIPppFtbhnpCE_YF0uBThuR3NQFmvb5dvyqM6pRZvuijWQmS721MampW8DFUyvaNSZup19rzWBGyKRuCMOCHHyuKsfL7KbQkTLCy494QKqENb09CkCmC1K9xe9h_HiwHteSkd63tQMYC&guccounter=2

By Faughn Health/Medical • New Developments 0 Comments

$7 million donation to help expand healthcare access in Corcoran

A historic and generous multi-million dollar gift will bring more resources to a small Kings County town. The Adventist Health Corcoran Medical Office received a $7 million donation to expand healthcare access in the area and surrounding communities.

Officials say the money will go to fund home dialysis units, a PET CT scanner and a 3D Mobile Mammography Unit to bring life-saving diagnostic and treatment services directly to the community. The donations were a community effort.

“The Corcoran Hospital District and Corcoran Community Foundation, supported by the Boswell family funds, those are the organizations that partnered with Adventist Health to help make this dream become a reality,” says Tim Haydock with Adventist Health. “Those are the organizations that have gone above and beyond to outline a path for a brighter future for the members of this community.”

The $7 million donation marks the largest gift in the history of Adventist Health.

Wednesday’s event consisted of remarks from Adventist Health leadership, community donors and medical experts.

A patient speaker also shared how these new services will change lives.

Community leaders say this is an exciting milestone for Adventist Health and the Corcoran community as it ensures greater access to critical healthcare services.

https://abc30.com/post/7-million-donation-help-expand-healthcare-access-corcoran/16152882/

By Faughn New Developments • Tourism • Workforce 0 Comments

Merced developer envisions thriving shopping plaza off of Highway 99

A local developer envisions Campus Parkway in the southeast side of Merced becoming the best exit off Highway 99 in the Central Valley. The goal is to create a new standard for Merced, attracting out-of-town revenue and enhancing the local economy by developing a shopping plaza eventually anchored by an entertainment venue, a hotel and surrounding retail shops, restaurants and offices…..

https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/article304451956.html

 

By Faughn New Developments 0 Comments

Visalia builds toward more industrial space

The city of Visalia plans to open up more land for industrial development following a recent report. At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Visalia City Council heard a presentation by 4- Creeks consultants suggesting expansion of industrial park zoning south of Highway 198 adjacent to the airport as well as west of Highway 99 around the city wastewater treatment plant. Currently the industrial park is east of Highway 99 concentrated in the northwest corner of the city. The council voted 5-0 to take the next step to move the project forward that will require a full environmental impact report. Mayor Brett Taylor said he was generally in favor of expansion of industrial lands but not so much west of Highway 99 where the city has the sewer farm surrounded by farmland. The report suggested the city allow for a 248-acre solar farm to provide more renewable power to the community. The site would be near the wastewater treatment plant where the consultant also suggested the city consider new industrial zoning. City-owned land west of the 99 adds up to 1,475 acres that can be potentially developed, the study said. Again, that idea may not move forward.

There does seem to be support for setting up a so-called “reserve” industrial area adjacent to the airport and south of Caldwell stretching down to Highway 99. The report points to the major overhaul of the Caldwell interchange underway over the next 3-4 years.

The reserve area could be around 405 acres. Staff will have to suggest a trigger for opening this land. It will be years before new zoning is in place. The study makes the case that the city needs more available industrial land to meet demand, suggesting there is a low inventory of available space and empty land. The report calculates Visalia has 389 parcels totaling 3,543 acres of industrial space with just 945 acres remaining vacant in its sphere of infuence.

“Visalia could see a demand for up to 6.4 million square feet of industrial space by 2033,” 4-Creeks stated in its report. But the study does not seem to acknowledge that there are active industrial projects lined up to build at least that much right now. That includes the vacant CapRock building, a 1.2 million square foot spec “building 3” on Plaza Drive that has sat empty since completion last July. There is also a new 3.7 million square feet industrial park project north of Riggin and west of Shirk going through a final EIR now.

At the same time industrial building activity in the past year has slowed to a crawl in Visalia and across California. Now the city may lose the 635,000 square foot JoAnn fabrics distribution center, according to a recent letter the company sent to Mayor Taylor.

Consider that Visalia added 1.1 million square feet of industrial space in 2019, 2.4 million in 2020, 1.5 million in 2021, 1.6 million in 2022 and 1.9 mil in 2023 but just 330,000 square feet of industrial space was added in 2024. Things have slowed down. Nevertheless, councilmember Brian Poochigian said the city needs to plan ahead and adding more space in the future could attract new business to town – smaller entrepreneurial industrial projects that could find the area near the airport attractive.