Where Business
is Boundless

Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand, and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County.
Join Over 180 Members and See How KEDC Can Benefit You!

Why Kern County?
Kern’s Business Advantage
Kern County’s centralized location is hard to beat when it comes to reaching West Coast destinations. Within a 5 hour drive, you can have access to 90% of California’s population.
- California’s population center
- Access 90% of California’s Population, and 14% of the U.S. Population within a 300 mile radius
- More than 40 million consumers within 4-hour truck drive
- Inland port helps lower drayage costs
- Access: Interstate 5, Highway 99 North & South, Highway 46 West to Central Coast, and Highwy 58 East to Interstate 15
Stretching Your Dollar
If you earn $60K and work in Kern, you’ll be astonished by how much further your money will go compared to other areas in the state.
The following is an annual salary comparison of the amount needed to maintain the same quality of life that you can find here in Kern County.
- Kern County – $60,000 35%
- San Diego ~ $79,741 (33% less in Kern) 72%
- Los Angeles ~ $82,237 (37% less in Kern) 74%
- Orange County ~ $83,956 (40% less in Kern) 75%
- Oakland ~ $87,237 (46% less in Kern) 79%
- San Francisco ~ $110,961 (85% less in Kern) 100%
Cost of Living Calculator
See the Cost of Living calculator below to see what your cost of living would be, based on annual salary, if you were to move here.
If you are looking for a location to start, relocate or expand a business, you’re in the right place. Kern County is one of the most affordable markets in the state (with a median home price of $218,700).
Kern County Business Recruitment & Job Growth Incentive Initiative
Incentive agreements will prioritize sustained, full-time job creation, in addition to capital investment, at better-than-living wage rate for Kern County.
The program provides maximum flexibility in pursuing opportunities with performance-based incentives and quantitative thresholds tested for accountability.
Here are Some of Our Success Stories
Our Platinum & Gold Members

Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand, and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County.
Contact Us
Kern Economic Development Corporation
2700 M Street, Suite 200
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-862-5150