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
405,700
Kern County Labor Force
370,100 Employed
35,600 Unemployed
8.8% Unemployment Rate
Source: California Employment Development Department (EDD) as of 7/2026
Drive Time Population
Source: JobsEQ Q2 2026
10 minutes | Population – 248,577
20 minutes | Population – 594,007
30 minutes | Population -688,809
45 minutes | Population – 781,284
60 minutes | Population – 961,493
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
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.
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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