The Forest Biomass Business Center
Developing Local Businesses from Forest Restoration Materials
The Forest Biomass Business Center (FBBC) is a wood products business campus serving the Yuba Watershed and surrounding region.
We are developing a place where complementary businesses can turn materials generated by forest restoration into useful products, local jobs, and new economic opportunities.
A New Approach to Forest Restoration
Forest restoration is happening at an unprecedented scale throughout the region. Projects designed to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and protect communities are also generating substantial quantities of woody material.
FBBC is working to create an economic outlet for that material.
Rather than relying on a single large facility, we are developing a diversified campus of wood products and biomass-based businesses that can work together, share infrastructure, and serve multiple markets.
Forest Restoration
Large-scale restoration creates substantial quantities of woody material.
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Local Material
That material represents a regional resource that can be put to productive use.
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Local Businesses
FBBC can provide a home for businesses that transform forest materials into marketable products.
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Jobs & Products
New businesses can create employment, economic activity, and useful products for regional markets.
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Healthier Communities & Forests
A stronger local restoration economy can support continued forest management and watershed resilience.
The Opportunity
The need is significant.
The six counties surrounding Camptonville generate an estimated 2.5 million bone-dry tons of woody biomass each year, with more than 1.1 million bone-dry tons estimated to remain available after existing demand.
Our recent supply study indicates that regional material availability should not be the limiting factor for developing new wood products businesses.
At the same time, the North Yuba Forest Partnership is working across 275,000 acres of the North Yuba watershed, creating a substantial and ongoing need for productive uses for restoration materials.
From 60 Ideas to 3
What businesses could make productive use of this material while also working in a rural community and creating viable economic opportunities?
FBBC began by examining 60 potential technologies and business concepts.
A two-stage screening process narrowed those possibilities to 29 technologies compatible with regional fiber resources, markets, rural conditions, restoration goals, and potential campus integration.
Three concepts were then selected for detailed feasibility studies:
Sawmill
A smaller-scale sawmill designed around the region's available forest restoration material.
Post & Pole
Production of posts, poles, and related products from suitable forest material.
Commercial Firewood
Bundled firewood production serving commercial and consumer markets.
These studies are helping determine what businesses can realistically become part of the FBBC campus.
A 100-Acre Business Campus
FBBC is being developed on approximately 100 acres near Camptonville, between the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests.
The campus concept brings complementary businesses together in one location, creating opportunities to share infrastructure, reduce costs, improve material utilization, and develop new products and markets.
We are looking for businesses that can work with the region's diverse forest fiber and become part of a broader restoration economy.
Who We're Looking For
FBBC is inviting businesses and entrepreneurs interested in:
Wood products manufacturing
Value-added forest products
Sawmilling and wood processing
Biomass fuel production
Bioenergy
Emerging bio-based materials and technologies
Businesses capable of using mixed-species or lower-quality forest fiber
The opportunity is not limited to the businesses currently being evaluated. As the campus develops, we expect additional opportunities to emerge.
Built on Research
The FBBC strategy is being shaped by ongoing feasibility studies, supply analysis, and technology screening.
Our Reports Library documents the research behind the campus and the decisions that are shaping its development.
Recent Reports
Is There Enough Wood? Our New Supply Study Says Yes!
September 2026
Our latest supply study examines regional material availability, delivered costs, feedstock sourcing, and the factors that will influence future campus businesses.
From 60 Ideas to 3: How We Chose What's Next for FBBC
September 2026
A look at the technology screening process that evaluated 60 possibilities, narrowed them to 29, and identified three candidates for detailed feasibility testing.
What's Happening Now
FBBC is continuing to develop the campus strategy as forest restoration advances throughout the region.
September 2026
New Supply Study Confirms Regional Wood Opportunity
Our latest study examines the availability and cost of forest restoration materials within the FBBC service area.
September 2026
From 60 Ideas to 3
Technology screening has identified three business concepts for detailed feasibility testing: sawmill, post & pole, and commercial bundled firewood.
August 2026
North Yuba Forest Partnership Renews Commitment to Forest Restoration
The regional partnership has renewed its commitment to collaborative forest restoration across the North Yuba watershed.
Be Part of the Restoration Economy
Forest restoration is creating a challenge — and an opportunity.
FBBC is working to connect the materials generated by restoration with businesses that can turn those materials into products, jobs, and economic value.
Are you interested in locating a business at FBBC?