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.

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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 Highway 58 East to Interstate 15

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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.

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Kern County – $60,000 35% 35%
San Diego ~ $79,026 (32% less in Kern) 72% 72%
Los Angeles ~ $81,618 (36% less in Kern) 74% 74%
Orange County ~ $83,327 (39% less in Kern) 76% 76%
Oakland ~ $88,346 (47% less in Kern) 80% 80%
San Francisco ~ $110,349 (84% less in Kern) 100% 100%

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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.

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2019 Kern County Agricultural Crop Report Released- County One of the Top Regions in the U.S.

The 2019 gross value of Kern County’s agricultural commodities was $7.6 billion which was a 2% increase from the 2018 crop value. The top five commodities were almonds, grapes, citrus, pistachios and milk, which represented more than $5.5 billion of the total.

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Here are Some of Our Success Stories

Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc., is an American multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming and artificial intelligence.

Amazon’s Fulfillment Center will create 2,000 new jobs.

Walmart

Walmart is the largest retailer of consumer staples products in the world, it started with the idea of a store that would offer its customers the lowest prices in the market.

Walmart’s Cold Storage Facility will create 350 new jobs.

L’ORÉAL

L’Oréal is the world’s largest cosmetics company and has developed activities in the field concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care.

L’Oréal‘s Distribution Center will create 155 new jobs.

HADCO

Hadco delivers aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium and related alloys worldwide from our warehouses in the east and west coast of the US and Korea.

Hadco’s Distribution Center will create 50 new jobs.

Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc., is an American multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming and artificial intelligence.

Amazon’s Fulfillment Center will create 2,000 new jobs.

Walmart

Walmart is the largest retailer of consumer staples products in the world, it started with the idea of a store that would offer its customers the lowest prices in the market.

Walmart’s Cold Storage Facility will create 350 new jobs.

L’ORÉAL

L’Oréal is the world’s largest cosmetics company and has developed activities in the field concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care.

L’Oréal‘s Distribution Center will create 155 new jobs.