Kern Economic Development Corporation

What Kern Economic Development Corporation does

Kern Economic Development Corporation (KEDC, DBA "Kern EDC") is a non-profit public-private partnership founded to promote economic development in Kern County, California. The organization brings together private businesses, educational institutions, elected officials, and non-profits under a single coordinated authority, with operations headquartered in Bakersfield. KEDC's core function is twofold: recruiting new businesses to Kern County through site selection, permitting navigation, incentive identification, and workforce development support, and helping existing local companies grow through networking, marketing exposure, and access to economic data.

KEDC delivers its mission via a portfolio of products and programs. The Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK) serves 400+ regional manufacturers with collaborative workforce and advocacy programs. The annual Kern County Market Overview is an award-winning publication that presents the county's industries, demographics, and business climate. The "Where Business Is Boundless" TV/video series on YouTube showcases local companies and cities. A Property Search tool supports site selection for relocating or expanding businesses, and sub-regional alliances (East Kern Economic Alliance, West Kern Economic Alliance) extend reach across the county.

Revenue is generated through a five-tier membership program (Active $1,000, Bronze $2,500, Silver $5,000, Gold $10,000, Platinum $20,000 per year) with annual recurring billing, supplemented by event sponsorships (notably the 20-year-old Energy Summit) and partnership contributions from over 180 member organizations. Platinum members include Chevron, California Resources Corporation, City of Bakersfield, Kern County, and Wonderful Real Estate Development. KEDC employs approximately six people in named roles and is governed by a Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The organization launched a 2025-2028 Strategic Plan to guide multi-year priorities.

Name

Kern Economic Development Corporation

Legal name

Kern Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://kernedc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kern Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit public-private partnership in Bakersfield, California that recruits businesses to Kern County and supports existing local companies through site selection, workforce development, and a 180+ member tiered membership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development resources
• Business attraction services
• Industry partnership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bakersfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: KEDC generates revenue through annual membership fees at five tier levels. Membership provides access to networking events, business development advocacy, site selection assistance, workforce development resources, marketing opportunities, and advance notice of business relocations/expansions in Kern County.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that promotes Kern County, California to businesses looking to expand or relocate, while supporting existing local businesses. Its offerings include site selection assistance, permitting and incentive navigation, workforce development resources, networking through a tiered membership program, the award-winning Kern County Market Overview publication, the Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK), and the Where Business Is Boundless TV/video series.

Product overview

Kern Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) operates as a public-private partnership economic development organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include the Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK) program supporting regional manufacturers, the annual award-winning Kern County Market Overview publication, the 'Where Business Is Boundless' TV/video series showcasing local companies, a property search service for site selection, and a tiered membership program providing networking, marketing opportunities, and access to economic development resources and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KEDC Membership Program Tiered membership program (Platinum $20,000, Gold $10,000, Silver $5,000, Bronze $2,500, Active $1,000) providing networking, business-to-business marketing, advance notice on business relocations, advertising in the Annual Market Overview, and access to Kern EDC events and board presentations. Designed for Kern County businesses and organizations committed to community economic development.
• Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK) Collaborative forum founded by Kern EDC for the region's 400+ manufacturers, offering business development advocacy for financing, incentives, permitting, site selection, and workforce development. Provides networking, infrastructure support, and collaborative workforce development for the advanced manufacturing sector.
• Kern County Market Overview Award-winning annual publication prepared by Kern EDC showcasing Kern County's diverse industries, business climate, demographics, quality of life, and economic vitality. Includes a member directory and serves as a key marketing and economic intelligence resource for the region.
• Where Business Is Boundless TV Series Television and video series featuring local companies, economic development updates, and community leaders from Kern County, showcasing regional business opportunities. Distributed via YouTube and the Kern EDC website.
• Property Search Online property search tool for businesses looking to locate, relocate, or expand operations in Kern County, supporting site selection by providing access to available commercial and industrial properties.
• Energy Summit Annual event celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, convening energy sector leaders, sponsors (including Chevron, AES Corporation, Bank of America), and Kern County stakeholders for networking, policy discussion, and economic development partnership.
• Economic Summit Annual economic summit co-presented with California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, providing economic analysis, research, and networking for Kern County stakeholders.
• State of the County/Chairman's Dinner Annual event bringing together Kern County leadership, businesses, and stakeholders to discuss the state of the regional economy, with sponsors including Chevron and other major regional employers.
• Annual Member Dinner Annual membership appreciation and networking dinner for Kern EDC's tiered member organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manufacturing Alliance of Kern serves 400+ regional manufacturers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold member and co-presenter of the Kern County Economic Summit. CSUB provides academic research, workforce pipeline, and economic analysis through its Department of Economics and Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business.
• Greater Bakersfield ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the annual Kern County Economic Summit along with CSUB and Kern EDC.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the Kern County Energy Summit. Provides financial services support to Kern County businesses and workforce housing initiatives.
• ChevronflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum/Diamond sponsor of Energy Summit and State of the County event. Major employer and energy sector partner in Kern County. Long-standing supporter of regional economic development.
• AES CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVIP Dinner sponsor for Energy Summit. Major power generation company operating in Kern County.
• Pacific Gas & Electric CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold member providing energy infrastructure and utility services to Kern County businesses.
• Wonderful Real Estate DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum member and property developer operating Wonderful Industrial Park, a major industrial real estate development in Kern County.
• Scaled CompositesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on the Where Business Is Boundless TV series. Aerospace testing and development company operating in Mojave.
• Grimmway FarmscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on Where Business Is Boundless TV series. World's largest carrot producer and major agricultural employer in Kern County.
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino TejonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on Where Business Is Boundless TV series. Major hospitality and entertainment development in South Kern County.
• Manufacturing Alliance of Kern (MAK)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Kern EDC, MAK is a collaborative forum for the region's 400+ manufacturers. Provides networking, workforce development, and advocacy for advanced manufacturing sector.
• America's Job Center of KerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing employment services and training programs for businesses in Kern County.
• Bakersfield Adult SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner providing job training programs for local workforce development.
• Bakersfield CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides industrial automation and career-technical education programs for workforce pipeline.
• Kern Community College DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides career-technical education and workforce development programs through its colleges including Cerro Coso Community College.
• California State University, Bakersfield - School of Business and Public AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides academic programs and research capabilities supporting regional economic development.
• Taft CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college providing workforce training and educational programs for West Kern County.
• Rio Tinto U.S. BoraxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on Where Business Is Boundless TV series. Major mining and borate producer in Kern County.
• Edwards Air Force BasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey defense and aerospace partner in the region. KEDC works with military installations for base retention and community support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce: Local Bakersfield/Kern County business membership organization that co-presents the Kern County Economic Summit with KEDC and CSUB. Operates a tiered membership model and serves overlapping member base of Kern County businesses.

Broad incumbents

• Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC): Large regional economic development nonprofit serving Los Angeles County with similar business attraction, workforce, and policy advocacy functions. Comparable as a larger-scale EDC serving a Southern California-adjacent market.
• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation: Regional nonprofit EDC providing business attraction, retention, and workforce development across San Diego County. Comparable as a California-based regional EDC with similar member-driven funding and site selection services.
• Greater Sacramento Economic Council: Regional economic development organization in the Sacramento area offering site selection, business attraction, and industry cluster development. Comparable model and California footprint to KEDC.
• Bay Area Council Economic Institute: Business-led economic development and research organization serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Comparable in publishing economic research and convening executive networks to drive regional prosperity.
• Orange County Business Council: Business membership and advocacy organization in Orange County providing economic development, workforce, and policy research. Comparable as a California regional business-led development and policy organization.
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council: Large regional economic development organization serving the Phoenix metro with site selection, business attraction, and industry cluster programs. Comparable model and Sun Belt logistics/manufacturing focus to KEDC's positioning.

Regional players

• San Joaquin Partnership: Public-private economic development nonprofit serving San Joaquin County in California's Central Valley. Comparable as a neighboring Central Valley EDC pursuing business attraction with similar agricultural, logistics, and manufacturing industry clusters.
• Fresno Economic Development Corporation (or Greater Fresno Chamber): Central Valley regional economic development organization focused on Fresno County business attraction and retention. Comparable geography, agricultural/manufacturing economy, and member-driven model to KEDC.
• Inland Empire Economic Partnership: Regional economic development nonprofit serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California's inland region. Comparable logistics- and manufacturing-focused mission adjacent to KEDC's distribution-corridor positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kernedc?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoUHsy8F1sLsUY64I7pAC_Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/KernEDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kern Economic Development Corporation