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 Availabilty Map

Laborforce

395,600

362,900 Employed

32,800 Unemployed

10 miles | Labor Availability – 16,359

20 miles | Labor Availability – 20,601

30 miles | Labor Availability – 21,675

40 miles | Labor Availability – 23,182

50 miles | Labor Availability – 23,792

3-Year Unemployment Rate Comparison

2021 / 2022 / 2023

  • 10%
  • 8%
  • 6%
  • 4%
  • 2%
  • 0
4080
5680
1040
6080
6880
1760
6240
5760
2880

Bakersfield

5.2% Unemployment Rate

(Apr. 2023)

Kern County

8.3% Unemployment Rate

(Apr. 2023)

California

4.3% Unemployment Rate

(Apr. 2023)

Drive Time Map (Location)

U.S. Drive Time From Kern County

California Drive Time From Kern County

Incentives

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/

Manufacturing

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.

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No Cost Manufacturing Resources (Expand to Learn More)

Workforce Development

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%

Real Estate

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.

Malouf

Malouf is a leader in the furniture and bedding industry based in Logan, Utah.

Malouf’s West Coast Distribution Hub will create 200-300 new jobs.

Global Clean Energy

Global Clean Energy, Inc. is a waste-to-energy public company trading on the OTC markets based in Huston Texas.

Global Clean Energy, Inc. will create 100 new jobs.

Questions?

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

Get in Touch

Call Me at:
(661) 862-5058

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