Remote Surveillance Trailer in Tracy, CA

Stanislaus State is considering a new academic site in Tracy to broaden student opportunities, strengthen workforce development and build public-private partnerships, according to a press release.

The project is still in the exploratory phase and would be part of the 1,500-acre Pacific Gateway development near Interstate 580 and Highway 132. Stanislaus State is working with Ridgeline Property Group, a private commercial real estate developer and investor, on the proposal. If built, the Tracy site would become the university’s third location, alongside Turlock and its Stockton satellite campus.

“Rooted in the heart of the Central Valley, this opportunity to extend the promise of education at Pacific Gateway offers a visionary pathway to strengthen our regional impact and enhance access to higher education,” said Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis. “Establishing an academic site in the Tracy area within this dynamic hub reflects our mission to uplift communities through affordable, high-quality academic offerings that are responsive to local needs.”

San Joaquin County Supervisor Robert Rickman called it “a pivotal moment” for the county, bringing accessible, high-quality higher education directly to local communities.

“San Joaquin County is rich in resources and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. This investment would strengthen our education-to-employment pipeline, create and attract sustainable jobs and support the long-term quality of life for our families,” said Rickman. “We look forward to partnering closely with Stanislaus State in the months ahead.”

CSU Chancellor Mildred García said the initiative aligns with the region’s workforce and educational needs. “This important first step reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the Central Valley and preparing the talent that will power the region’s — and California’s — future,” García said.

With support from the prominent almond-growing Sandhu family, Pacific Gateway plans to provide infrastructure, donate the first university building on a 66-acre site and contribute $20 million toward operations to help establish a permanent Tracy presence for Stanislaus State.

The site will “extend the university’s reach, uplift the region and augment the transformative power of education in the Central Valley for generations to come,” Ridgeline Property Group partner Steve Arthur said.

“We are pleased to partner with Stanislaus State to bring a college academic site to Tracy at Pacific Gateway. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to provide accessible, high-quality education and foster economic growth in the region,” he said.

Stan State and Ridgeline are working with local leaders, businesses and community partners to build support for the university’s expansion in Tracy. More details will be released as the project moves forward. Those interested in supporting the effort can contact Vice President for University Advancement Catherine Wooton at 209-667-3131.

San Joaquin County, CA — California State University, Stanislaus and Ridgeline Property Group are proud to announce they are actively exploring an expanded presence in San Joaquin County at Pacific Gateway, a 1,500-acre master-planned, mixed-use development at the crossroads of Interstate 580 and State Highway 132. Together, the two institutions are evaluating the establishment of a Stanislaus State academic site in Tracy — a bold step toward broadening degree access though quality public higher education across San Joaquin County and the Central Valley.

The vision for the Tracy academic site is to expand academic opportunities for students, support workforce development and foster public-private partnerships in one of California’s fastest-growing counties.

The proposed site would bring Stanislaus States’ nationally ranked, exceptional academic programming, workforce development, research initiatives and student support services directly to the Tracy area. A Tracy satellite campus will create new pathways for students and working professionals through hands-on learning, internships and other professional opportunities in collaboration with industry partners. The portfolio of programs will ultimately be designed to address regional needs and provide a differentiated experience from programs offered at Stanislaus State’s Stockton Campus, thereby amplifying accessible higher education in one of the fastest growing regions in California. This opportunity will allow Stanislaus State to explore expanding on their strengths in business, agriculture and education and to develop strengths in areas such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

“As one of the top 10 public universities in the country according to the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 rankings, Stanislaus State is deeply committed to expanding access and opening doors for the students, families and communities we proudly serve,” said Stanislaus State President Britt Rios- Ellis. “Rooted in the heart of the Central Valley, this opportunity to extend the promise of education at Pacific Gateway offers a visionary pathway to strengthen our regional impact and enhance access to higher education. We are grateful to the Sandhu Family and Ridgeline Property Group for honoring Stanislaus State with this opportunity. Establishing an academic site in the Tracy area within this dynamic hub reflects our mission to uplift communities through affordable, high-quality academic offerings that are responsive to local needs. The possibility of expanding to Tracy, with our existing presence in Turlock and Stockton, would provide a three-location solution designed to increase social mobility, fuel economic vitality and cultivate a culturally rich and resilient future for San Joaquin County and beyond.”

“Stanislaus State’s interest in establishing a campus at Pacific Gateway is a pivotal moment for San Joaquin County. Stanislaus State, recognized as one of the nation’s top ten best public colleges, will bring quality, affordable higher education directly to our communities. San Joaquin County is rich in resources and is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. This investment would strengthen our education-to-employment pipeline, create and attract sustainable jobs, and support the long-term quality of life for our families. We look forward to partnering closely with Stanislaus State in the months ahead,” said 5th District Supervisor, Robert Rickman.

“We are thoughtfully and thoroughly exploring this opportunity to expand access to a CSU education in alignment with the area’s workforce and educational needs. This important first step reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the Central Valley and preparing the talent that will power the region’s – and California’s – future,” said California State University Chancellor Mildred García.

The Pacific Gateway site exploration aligns with Stanislaus State’s strategic vision to deepen community partnerships, raise educational attainment rates and meet workforce needs in critical industries across the Central Valley and California.

“We are pleased to partner with Stanislaus State to bring a college academic site to Tracy at Pacific Gateway. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to provide accessible, high-quality education and foster economic growth in the region,” said Ridgeline Property Group Partner Steve Arthur. “Pacific Gateway, together with the generosity of the Sandhu Family, is honored to develop initial critical infrastructure, donate the University’s innovative inaugural building, situated on a 66 acre site to accommodate over 1.25 million square feet of future growth in a campus setting, and further provide a $20 million commitment for initial operations to establish a permanent educational presence in Tracy that will extend the University’s reach, uplift the region and augment the transformative power of education in the Central Valley for generations to come.”

Pacific Gateway — a center of connectivity, innovation and economic development at the crossroads of key transportation routes and economic hubs — would be anchored by the Stanislaus State Tracy academic site, adding a transformative educational dimension to its master plan. Please visit www.pacificgateway.com.

The University and Ridgeline continue to collaborate with local leaders, business partners and stakeholders to secure the community support necessary to ensure Stanislaus State’s success in Tracy. More details will be shared as exploration of the project progresses. If you’re interested in partnering with the University to support this effort, please contact Vice President for University Advancement Catherine Wooton at (209) 667-3131.

About Stanislaus State

Stanislaus State, part of the California State University system, serves nearly 10,000 students across its Turlock and Stockton campuses. The University is recognized for its commitment to student success, social and economic mobility, regional engagement and academic excellence. Reflecting that commitment, Stanislaus State has earned national recognition, including being ranked No. 2 for social mobility, No. 10 for best value and No. 24 among the best colleges in the nation by the Wall Street Journal. U.S. News & World Report ranked Stanislaus State No. 3 in the nation for social mobility and No. 10 among the Best in the West in fall 2024. Earlier this year, the College Futures Foundation and the HEA Group ranked Stanislaus State No. 3 on the California Mobility Index for propelling low-income students into the middle class and beyond.

About Ridgeline Property Group

Ridgeline Property Group (Ridgeline) is a privately held, commercial real estate development and investment company operating throughout the United States. Ridgeline’s regional partners have more than 125 years of combined experience in the commercial real estate industry and have developed over 115 million square feet of space in 30 states. The company serves as a capital deployment vehicle and a third-party operator for investors and users who are focused on institutional investment grade development and acquisition opportunities. The firm is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with regional offices in California, Northern Virginia / Washington, D.C., Chicago and Dallas. Steve Arthur has resided in Northern California for more than 50 years.

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom Applauds Stanislaus State’s Selection of Tracy for Expanded Campus

TRACY, CA – California State University, Stanislaus announced today it is exploring the establishment of a new academic site in Tracy at Pacific Gateway, a 1,500-acre master-planned development at the crossroads of I-580 and Highway 132. The project, made possible through a major investment and land contribution from the Sandhu Family and Ridgeline Property Group, would bring expanded degree access, workforce development programs, and research opportunities to one of the fastest-growing regions in California.

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, which represents Tracy, CA at the state-level, welcomed the news, calling it a transformative step for the region:

“I am grateful to the Sandhu Family for their generosity in helping close the higher education gap in Tracy. As the State representative for the region- and a proud alumna of the CSU system- I know firsthand the life-changing power of higher education. I look forward to partnering with Stanislaus State to make this vision a reality and to expand opportunities that make the dream of college more accessible for families throughout our region.”

San Joaquin County is one of California’s fastest-growing counties and home to a young, diverse population. In Assembly District 13 alone, more than 27% of residents are under 18, and nearly 14% of adults lack a high school diploma, a rate significantly higher than the state average.

Michaels will soon close its distribution center in Tracy.

The American arts and crafts retailer filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice on June 4. The filing was processed two days later.

The distribution center will close on Friday, Aug. 4. The report states the permanent closure will affect 229 employees at the facility at 9375 W. Sugar Road in Tracy.

"We have made the decision to close our Tracy, California, distribution center, effective August 4. This step allows us to continue to optimize our distribution network, ensuring better service to our customers and our stores across the country," company officials said on Friday. "We recognize the impact on our team members in Tracy and are providing them with support and resources to help them through this transition."

The notice appeared in the WARN report for July 1, 2024, through June 18, 2025, which lists 1,464 notices by county. The counties listed include San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sacramento and Los Angeles.

"The WARN Act requires employers to give 60 days’ notice before a mass layoff, plant closure or relocation. Employers must notify employees and both state and local representatives," according to the California Employment Development Department. "This helps workers prepare for job loss, find new jobs or train for new opportunities."

It is unknown when or how employees were notified of the permanent closure at the Michales distribution center, or whether they will receive any severance due to the layoffs.

Tracy's Michaels distribution center is one of two in California. The second is located at 3501 W. Avenue H in Lancaster, in Los Angeles County. This location does not appear on the WARN report.

Founded in 1973, Michaels, which is headquartered in Irving, Texas, has more than 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada, USA Today reported. Michaels recently announced that its parent company, The Michaels Companies Inc., had successfully acquired Joann.

"We're honored to have the opportunity to welcome Joann customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels," Michaels CEO David Boone said. "This acquisition allows us to better serve both new and existing customers, respond to rising demand across categories and build on our momentum as the destination for creating and celebrating in North America."

According to USA Today, Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025 — its second bankruptcy filing in less than a year. The company was set to close all of its remaining 500-plus stores by the end of May.

"Welcome to Michaels, Joann fans!" the company said on its website. "It’s hard to lose a store you love. We’re here to help."

To learn more about Michaels, visit michaels.com.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow