
TL;DR
- California Forever unveiled plans for Solano Foundry, a 2,100-acre tech manufacturing park.
- The park will be part of a broader walkable “utopian” city with over 175,000 homes.
- CEO Jan Sramek says the site will offer expedited permitting, renewable energy, and proximity to Silicon Valley.
- The project aims to attract AI, hardware, and engineering talent to Solano County, northeast of San Francisco.
A New Industrial Chapter for California
California Forever announced a bold step in its urban development plan: the Solano Foundry, a massive manufacturing park designed to become a hub for advanced technology production. Spanning 2,100 acres, this new development aims to host up to 40 million square feet of manufacturing space, forming a central piece of its walkable, master-planned city vision.
The company made the announcement at the Reindustrialize Conference in Detroit, where CEO Jan Sramek outlined how the Solano Foundry would catalyze domestic industrial growth and reinvigorate U.S. tech manufacturing.
Designed for Talent and Sustainability
Sramek criticized traditional industrial park locations, stating in a tweet that American manufacturers are disadvantaged by building factories “off of random freeway exits in the middle of nowhere.” He added that such sites fail to attract top talent.
Instead, California Forever’s vision integrates proximity to top-tier engineering talent, reliable renewable power, and modern infrastructure. Located just 40 miles northeast of San Francisco, Solano County is expected to serve as a bridge between Silicon Valley innovation and full-scale industrial execution.
What the Park Will Offer
According to company statements, the Solano Foundry will include:
- Expedited permitting processes for new factories
- Dedicated transport links for finished goods
- Ample power from renewable energy sources
- Integration with the broader walkable city model California Forever is developing
The project aims to attract companies in hardware, AI, robotics, and precision manufacturing, tapping into Silicon Valley’s dense ecosystem while offering lower costs and higher flexibility.
Part of a Billionaire-Backed Vision
California Forever is best known for its secretive early land acquisitions across Solano County, funded by investors including Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, and Laurene Powell Jobs. Their long-term goal: build a city “from scratch” that addresses housing shortages, promotes green energy, and encourages walkable community design.
Solano Foundry is the project’s first step into physical infrastructure, shifting its narrative from real estate speculation to concrete economic development.
Market Context: A Return to American Manufacturing
The announcement comes amid a growing push in the U.S. to reshore high-tech manufacturing. Incentives like the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have sparked renewed interest in domestic industrial capacity.
With massive tech manufacturing hubs like Intel’s Ohio campus and TSMC’s Arizona fab, California Forever is joining the trend with a location that aims to blend livability and industry.
What’s Next?
While timelines for breaking ground on Solano Foundry weren’t announced, California Forever indicated that planning is well underway. The company is expected to release more details about infrastructure development, job creation projections, and target tenant sectors later this year.
With access to capital, land, and top-tier talent, California Forever’s Solano Foundry could become a blueprint for how tech-driven cities can integrate manufacturing and urban living.
The Data
Feature | Details |
Total Area | 2,100 acres |
Manufacturing Space | Up to 40 million sq. ft. |
Project Location | Solano County, CA (~40 miles from San Francisco) |
Target Sectors | AI, hardware, precision engineering |
Project Backers | Andreessen Horowitz, Hoffman, Powell Jobs |