Doing Business Here

If you are looking for a place to start, relocate or expand a business, look no further than Kern County, at the southern end of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Thanks to its prime location at the gateway to Southern California, many major companies have chosen Kern County as their west coast distribution hub.

Labor

401,300

Laborforce

371,100 Employed

30,100 Unemployed

7.5% Unemployment Rate

Drive Time Population

10 minutes | Population – 566,540

20 minutes | Population – 646,662

30 minutes | Population – 783,717

45 minutes | Population – 820,263

60 minutes | Population – 1,125,389

Transportation and Logistics

U.S. Drive Time From Kern County

California Drive Time From Kern County

Advanced Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Alliance of Kern

Mission

The Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK) was founded by Kern Economic Development Corporation to create a collaborative forum for the region’s 400+ manufacturers.

Kern County offers favorable infrastructure and land use policies; a strategic location; talent adjacencies between its existing oil and gas workforce and skills demanded by manufacturing sectors; and significant logistics assets.

Your Business Development Advocate for:

Financing & Incentives

Identifying sources of capital and local & state incentive programs

Permitting

Navigating the regulatory approval process with local/state/federal entities

Site Selection

Providing manufactures suitable options for expanding or relocating operations

Workforce Development

Access to the region’s leading voc-tech and post-secondary educational institutions

KEEP MAKING IT WITH “MAK”

To learn more aobut MAK, contact:

MELINDA BROWN

VP of Business Development, Kern EDC

661-862-5058
melinda@kedc.com

CMTC

Kern EDC is a member of California’s Manufacturing Network (CMN). The network was formed and is led by CMTC to expand capabilities and capacity to efficiently serve Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers (SMMs) statewide. As a member of CMN, Kern EDC delivers services that address the regional challenges driven by the diverse manufacturing community. CMN is made up of more than 25 partner organizations throughout the state and has served more than 2,000 companies annually, adding significant economic impact for manufacturers and the public good of the State of California.

No Cost Manufacturing Resources

Incentives/Taxes

Businesses looking to relocate or expand in Kern County can find a wide variety of incentives available. The Kern Economic Development Corporation can direct businesses to select federal, state and local economic incentives available to attract new jobs, investment and development.

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Kern County Business Recruitment and Job Growth Incentive Initiative
Enhancements to the County’s incentive program include:

The County eliminates all caps and special terms on potential sales tax, use tax, and property tax rebates.

The County’s incentive agreements prioritize sustained, full-time job creation, in addition to capital investment, at better-than-living wage rate for Kern County.

The County expands the list of targeted industry clusters for these incentives, to include: e-commerce, general manufacturing and destination retail.

For further information visit AdvanceKern.com

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Manufacturing equipment + sales and use tax exemption.

New Employment credit between Jan 2014 – Jan 2026.

California Competes Tax Credit – Criteria includes number of jobs to be created or retained, extent of property in business development area, minimum compensation limitation, and set job retention period.

Research and Development Tax Credit – Reduces income or franchise tax.

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Manufacturing – tax exemption of 3.9375% for basic manufacturing equipment.

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Agriculture – tax exemption for the sale, storage, use, or other consumption of farm equipment, and machinery.

Link to Packet

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Foreign Trade Zone 276

Tejon Ranch Commerce Center

Further Information

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Recycling Market Development Zone

Low interest loans and assistance for manufacturers using recycled materials.

https://kernpublicworks.com/recycling-market-development-zone/

Taxes
California Tax Service

 

The California Tax Service Center is a partnership of the State Board of Equalization, State Employment Development Department, State Franchise Tax Board, and the Federal Internal Revenue Service. The purpose of the California Tax Service Center is to streamline and improve the taxpayer resource and educational program. For more information, please visit: taxes.ca.gov

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California Tax Rates (Expand to Learn More)
Tax Base or Measure Rate Administering Agency
Corporation Income Tax Combined net income apportioned to California. 8.84% Franchise Tax Board
Sales and Used Tax (Statewide Base Rate Only) Receipts from sales or lease of taxable items. 7.50% Board of Equalization
Property Tax 100% of assessed valuation Avg. 1.1% Board of Equalization
Personal Income Tax Taxable personal income 1.0 – 12.3% Franchise Tax Board
Unemployment Insurance Tax (“Payroll Tax”) Fixed by statute. First $7,000 of wages per employee per year 1.5 – 6.2% Employment Development Department
Employment Training Tax Fixed statute. First $7,000 of wages per employee per year 0.001% Employment Development Department
Disability Insurance Tax (Employee paid) Taxable wage limit for withholding of $145,600 1.10% Employment Development Department
Finished Goods, Raw Materials, and Inventory Tax None None None
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Per $100 of payroll Varies based on job classification, workplace safety record, and insurance carrier. Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers’ Compensation
Corporation Tax Rates (Expand to Learn More)
Entity Type Tax Rate
Corporations other than banks and financials 8.85%
Banks and financials 10.84%
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) rate 6.65%
S corporation rate 1.50%
S corporation bank and financial rate 3.50%

Workforce Development

Real Estate & Development

Questions?

For all site selection related questions, please contact Melinda Brown.

Get in Touch

Call Me at:
(661) 369-5618

Or Email me at:
melinda@kedc.com

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

Email us