06/30/2026
What does industrial symbiosis look like in action?
Yesterday, McMinnville was proud to welcome attendees of the inaugural PNW Industrial Symbiosis Conference, hosted by the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, for a behind-the-scenes look at how local businesses are advancing innovation, sustainability, and the circular economy.
The day began at Mac Market with a welcome from Adam Garvin, McMinnville City Manager, Commissioner Kit Johnston, and MEDP, before attendees set out to experience industrial symbiosis in action.
The tour featured inspiring stops at New Energy Works West, Solid Carbon, Chapul Farms, and —four companies demonstrating how collaboration, renewable resources, and creative thinking can reduce waste, create new value, and strengthen more resilient local economies. From and to and reusable glass bottle systems, each stop showcased how rural communities are helping lead the future of the .
A special thank you to New Energy Works for sponsoring lunch and opening its doors, Chapul Farms for sharing its innovative approach to regenerative agriculture, and Revino for closing the afternoon with a wine tasting that highlighted another example of circular innovation in action.
This experience would not have been possible without the many partners who generously shared their time, expertise, and hospitality. Thank you to New Energy Works, Solid Carbon, Chapul Farms, Revino, Pure Light Botanical Beauty, Mac Market, Honey Pie, Business Oregon, SEDCOR, Adam Garvin The City of McMinnville Commissioner Kit Johnston , Caralee Johnston, and everyone who helped make the day a success.
At MEDP, we believe economic development is built on partnerships. This tour was a powerful reminder that McMinnville's greatest strength isn't just our innovative businesses—it's a community that doesn't wait for collaboration to happen. We create it.
Thank you to the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure for bringing the inaugural conference to our region and for showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform waste streams into valuable resources while building a stronger, more sustainable future.