New $100 million industrial facility to be built in southwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Local leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a brand new $100 million industrial park in southwest Fresno.

The first-of-its-kind development is strategically located on Nielsen and Marks avenues, just off Highway 180.

The vacant lot will soon be transformed into the 'Scannell West Gate Industrial Center,' a brand-new industrial facility.

"I could tell you this is the biggest deal I've been a part of it since I've been the mayor of the city," says Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

The project was met with early pushback over environmental concerns when it was first introduced. It is now five years in the making, as developers underwent three rounds of analysis and passed a full environmental review.

The prime land off Highway 180 is zoned industrial, ideal for national developer Scannell Properties, which plans to build three large buildings totaling over 800,000 square feet, housing six to eight new businesses.

"There is tremendous demand from our users. So, that could be manufacturers, could be assembly, could be logistics all those different uses," says Todd

Entirely paid through private funding, the center looks to shift the economic landscape of the city.

Back in 2020, Fresno had a 1% vacancy for industrial space, making it difficult to stay competitive and bring in big business.

"We literally had projects go to Nevada, go to Texas, go to Visalia, or go to Madera. They wanted to be in Fresno, where we have the critical mass and workforce availability, but they could not because we lack the inventory. For today, with Scannell's project coming online, hopefully future projects will come into the pipeline and we'll be able to turn that page," says Fresno County Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Will Oliver

Leaders say the facility is estimated to create upwards of a thousand jobs, generate tax revenue, and improve curb appeal in the area.

Fresno is already looking at other locations for growth like South Seda, where Mayor Dyer says there is 800 acres of land ready for industrial space.

"That's an area that we need to take advantage of in the future. If we don't, we're going to lose our competitive edge," he says.

Developers are not releasing the names of the businesses that will be coming to the facility but say the first building is expected to be complete by June of 2026, and the entire project finished within the next three years.

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