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Economic
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NEWS
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Kern No. 3 in California Payroll Gains
June 28, 2011
The average compensation per job in Kern County increased 23% between 2004 and 2009, the third highest rate among major counties in California.
Bakersfield Refinery Completes Project
June 27, 2011
Alon USA Energy, Inc. today announced that the hydrocracker project at its Bakersfield, California refinery has been successfully completed and the unit is now in operation.
Kern No. 2 in SoCal Recovery
June 24, 2011
Kern County tied with Orange County as the second best Southern California county on the way to recovery, according to a survey by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).
Kern Least Expensive for Renters
June 24, 2011
Among California’s major metro areas, Kern County is the least expensive for renters, according to an On Numbers analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today.
Media Firm Opens in Bakersfield
June 23, 2011
El Clasificado, an EC Hispanic Media company, announced the successful grand opening of its Bakersfield office. The office serves Kern County and responds to the growing demand of El Clasificado’s products and services in the area.
Local Product Earns Heart Assn. Certification
June 23, 2011
Bolthouse Farms announced today that the American Heart Association has certified its 100% Carrot Juice, Baby Carrots and Cello Carrots. Now these products may display the heart-check mark on each label.
Carmax Coming To Bakersfield
June 17, 2011
The nation’s biggest used car retailer will soon be hitting the streets of Bakersfield. Used car giant Carmax plans to open a dealership in south Bakersfield at 99 off Panama Lane.
Kern No. 1 in Rate of Sales Tax Growth
June 16, 2011
Kern County had the largest rate of sales tax growth among California counties over the past year, according to information from HdL Companies.
Kern 2nd Strongest Valley Economy
June 10, 2011
Kern County is the second strongest economy in California’s Central Valley, according to a recent report from Policom Corporation.
Padre Hotel Wins Design Awards Poll
May 31, 2011
In Lodging Hospitality’s first ever online poll to determine the readers’ choice for favorite Design Awards winner, the tiny Padre Hotel in Bakersfield, CA took top honors. The 112-room boutique hotel designed by Graham Downes Architecture earned 1,539 votes and edged the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and the JW Marriott at LA Live with 40.3% of the vote.
Kern County's economy gains as commodity prices rise
May 11, 2011
The run-up in gold and silver prices leads to the reopening of a mine near Mojave, and higher crude prices give a boost to the county's oil fields. Crops such as cotton also are soaring in value.
Kern 2nd Largest Valley Economy
May 6, 2011
Kern County ranks second in economic power in the Central Valley, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Using gross metropolitan product (GMP) as a measure of economic power, Kern's GMP was 70th among the nation's largest metro areas, and second in the Central Valley. Only the Sacramento area was larger.
Kern Tops in Manufacturing Gains
April 29, 2011
Kern County gained more manufacturing jobs during the past decade than any other large metropolitan area in the nation, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, Kern was the only large metro area to see any gain at all.
Kern 3rd Highest Personal Income in Central Valley
April 22, 2011
Total personal income (TPI) in Kern County was the third highest among the Central Valley's 18 counties in 2009, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Only Sacramento and Fresno counties had higher total personal income.
Kern Personal Income Ranks 47th in CA
April 21, 2011
Per capita personal income for Kern County in 2009 was $29,630, ranking it 47th among California's 58 counties, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Kern Employment Up
April 7, 2011
Kern County saw one year employment gains from February 2010 to February 2011, according to figures released yesterday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Local Product Now the Official Snack of the Easter Bunny
April 1, 2011
Bolthouse Farms' baby carrots are now the official snack of the Easter Bunny, it was announced today. The company has partnered with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's Hop, the new comedy from the creators of Despicable Me and the director of Alvin and the Chipmunks, which opened in theatres nationwide today.
California 12th in Per Capita Income
March 23, 2011
California ranks 12th among the 50 states in per capita income (PCI), according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Kern Sees Job Growth
March 22, 2011
Kern County added 2,300 jobs during the past year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics. Kern saw a 1.04% increase in nonfarm jobs between January 2010 and January 2011. That gave Kern the third highest rate of job growth among California's largest metro areas during the last year.
Local Firm in the News
March 20, 2011
Jeff Dunn believes he can double the $1 billion baby-carrot business -- and promote healthy eating -- by marketing the vegetable like Doritos. His secret weapon? He knows every snack-marketing trick in the book.
California No. 2 in New Jobs
March 16, 2011
California saw the second highest job gains among the 50 states and the District of Columbia during the past 12 months, according to new figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kern Strong Performer in Recovery
March 15, 2011
Kern County is among the nation's 20 strongest metro areas in the recovery, according to a report released by the Brookings Institution.
Kern Now 61st Largest Metro
March 8, 2011
Kern County is now the 61st largest metro area in the nation, according to an analysis released yesterday.
Bakersfield Office Vacancies Still Among Lowest in U.S.
March 7, 2011
Bakersfield continues to have some of the lowest office vacancy rates in the nation, according to Colliers International. For the fourth quarter of 2010, the office vacancy rate for the suburban Bakersfield market was 9.8%, the lowest in the nation. The national average was 16.69%.
Kern Economic Output Increases
February 24, 2011
Four-fifths of the nation’s 100 biggest markets suffered economic contraction in 2009, but Kern County was not among them, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. While the recession reduced the economic output of 80 of the top 100 markets in 2009, Kern saw growth in its gross metropolitan product, or GMP.
Bakersfield Among Top 50 U.S. Destination Cities
February 16, 2011
U-Haul International, Inc., today released the results of the annual 2010 U-Haul National Migration Trend Report, titled "The 2010 Top 50 U.S. Destination Cities." Bakersfield ranked 49th.
Kern Home Sales Up, Prices Down
February 15, 2011
Home sales in Kern County rose over the past year, but median sales prices declined, according to data released today by the California Association of Realtors.
Another New Local Product Unveiled
February 10, 2011
Bolthouse Farms, an innovative health and wellness company based in California's fertile San Joaquin Valley, today introduced Aura Botanical Water, the newest line in the company's thriving beverage division.
Kern's Housing More Affordable
February 18, 2011
Kern County’s housing became even more affordable in the last quarter of 2010, according to data released yesterday by the California Building Industry Association (CBIA).
LA Weekly: Basque in Bakersfield
Thursday, Feb 17 2011
I have been accused of overpraising Bakersfield, and perhaps it is true.
Local Firm Unveils New Product
February 8, 2011
Bolthouse Farms, an innovative health and wellness company based in California's fertile San Joaquin Valley, today introduced the newest addition to its popular Protein Plus beverage line: the Parfait Smoothie.
Local Vineyard to Install Solar Power System
February 3, 2011
HelioPower, an integrated energy solutions company with over 1600 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001, today announced the commencement of construction on a 516 kilowatt (kW) dc commercial solar power system for Giumarra Vineyards Corporation. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system will be adjacent to Giumarra's main production and cold storage facility in Bakersfield.
Kern Housing Starts Increase
January 24, 2011
Excerpted from Central Valley Business Times
Kern County had more housing starts in 2010 than any other Central Valley market, according to the California Building Industry Association. In Kern, builders started work on 1,909 single- and multi-family units in 2010, compared with 1,868 in 2009.
Bakersfield Tops in CA for Growth in Restaurant Management Wages
January 12, 2011
Bakersfield is the top California location for significant wage growth in the restaurant industry, according to a recent survey. According to the survey, several cities showed wage growth in excess of 15%. Not only was Bakersfield's wage growth the highest in California, it was the eighth highest in the nation.
Successful Local Test of New Technology
January 10, 2011
A new type of renewable energy technology using biomass as fuel to generate steam has passed its initial testing near Bakersfield, says the developer, Global Green Solutions Inc. of San Diego.
Kern 96th in Small Businesses
January 7, 2011
Excerpted from Business First
Kern County ranks 96th among metro areas nationally with 12,136 small businesses, according to a breakdown of new federal data by Business First.
Kern Tops in Manufacturing Job Gains
December 27, 2010
Excerpted from Business First
Of the nation's 100 biggest markets, Kern County is the only one to have gained manufacturing jobs over the past decade, according to a new study released today by the publication Business First. In contrast, the remaining 99 biggest markets have fewer manufacturing jobs today that they did ten years ago.
State Fund to Expand in Bakersfield
December 9, 2010
State Fund, California’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance for nearly 100 years, announced today it will consolidate regional Claims and Underwriting function into central locations in Eureka, Redding, Sacramento, Stockton, Pleasanton, Fresno, Bakersfield, Monterey Park, Riverside, and Santa Ana.
Bakersfield 57th Largest U.S. City
November 30, 2010
Bakersfield is the nation's 57th largest city, according to population estimates released November 22 by the publication Business First. The estimates show the city of Bakersfield is larger than the cities of Cincinnati (58th); Aurora, Colorado (59th); Toledo (60th); Pittsburgh (61st); Anchorage, Alaska (65th); and Newark, New Jersey (69th).
Bakersfield Stop is Trip Back into Music History
November 2010
Driving through California's Central Valley it's easy to speed right on by Bakersfield, the southernmost of the Valley's good-sized cities and the last one you'll pass before you head up the Grapevine toward Los Angeles. But next time, consider this: You're passing through Music History and it just might be worth your while to stop.
Local Amtrak Service to be Upgraded
From Central Valley Business Times
November 8, 2010
Amtrak's service that connects Bakersfield to Sacramento and Oakland -- the fifth busiest Amtrak route in the nation -- will get new passenger cars as part of an upgrade of California’s three Amtrak routes.
Bakersfield to Houston Flights Announced
October 21, 2010
From PR Newswire
Continental Airlines will add new flights between Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport and Bakersfield beginning in 2011, the airline announced today.
Bakersfield Firm Named One of Fastest Growing Companies by Inc. Magazine
October 15, 2010
Multi Business Systems, a professional printing and promotional products provider based in Bakersfield, Calif., has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of America's fastest-growing private companies.
Local Product 'Scarrots' Now Available Nationwide
October 12, 2010
Late this summer, A Bunch of Carrot Farmers, led by Bolthouse Farms, launched an ambitious branding campaign for Baby Carrots. This October, the campaign is going national, with the launch of Scarrots, a new kind of Halloween treat.
Borders Express to Open in Bakersfield
October 6, 2010
Excerpted from PR Newswire
Borders will open a Borders Express store in Valley Plaza to serve customers during the holiday season. The store is expected to officially open October 25 and will operate through January 31.
Bakersfield Firm On Inc. 500
August 26, 2010
Excerpted from Austin Business Journal
A local firm made in onto the latest Inc. 500. Bakersfield-based Faast Pharmacy placed 464 on the publication's 29th annual list that ranks businesses with the highest percentage revenue growth across three years. Faast was the only Bakersfield firm on the Inc. 500.
Kern Housing Affordability Increases
August 20, 2010
At the end of June, the affordability of housing in the Bakersfield metropolitan statistical area -- which includes all of Kern County --increased slightly over the previous quarter.
Kern Home to Clean-Tech Firms
August 9, 2010
Excerpted from Los Angeles Business
Kern County has 45 clean-tech companies, according to a report released Thursday by the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. In Kern, there are six clean-tech companies dealing with green buildings; 34 dealing with energy generation; four dealing with energy efficiency; and one with transportation.
Kern Now 62nd Largest Metro
August 4, 2010
Excerpted from Business First
Kern County is the 62nd largest metro area in the nation, according to an analysis released today.
Local Firm in the News
July 21, 2010
Bakersfield-based agribusiness Sun World International LLC is harnessing IBM analytics technology to improve crop yields, reduce waste and expand its customer base, while providing more cost effective and energy efficient harvesting practices.
Only Kern Gains Manufacturing Jobs
July 30, 2010
Excerpted from Business First
Kern County was the only large labor market in the nation to gain manufacturing jobs during the past ten years. According to an analysis released today, Kern gained 1,900 manufacturing positions between June 2000 and June 2010. All other large labor markets saw a decline.
Kern's Export Growth Higher than U.S. Average
July 26, 2010
Kern County's growth in exports is much higher than the national average, according to a report released today by the Brookings Institution.
Kern Tops in Valley Apartment Rentals
July 22, 2010
Excerpted from Central Valley Business Times
Kern County's apartment occupancy rate for the second quarter of 2010 was the highest in the Central Valley, according to figures from RealFacts, a Novato-based real estate information company.
Bakersfield Parking Rates Remain Low
July 15, 2010
Bakersfield's median monthly downtown parking rates remain among the nation's lowest, according to an annual survey released today.
Bakersfield Office Vacancies Still Among Lowest in U.S.
July 2, 2010
Bakersfield continues to have some of the lowest office vacancy rates in the nation, according to Colliers International. For the first quarter of 2010, the office vacancy rate for the suburban Bakersfield market was 10.3%, the lowest in the nation. The national average was 17.11%.
Kern 10 Yr. Job Growth Among Highest
June 30, 2010
Excerpted from Business First
Among the nation's 100 largest metro areas, Kern County had the second highest rate of private sector job growth over the past ten years, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bakersfield Now 59th Largest U.S. City
June 22, 2010
Bakersfield is the nation's 59th largest city, according to population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Previously, Bakersfield ranked 57th.
Bakersfield #19 on Cookout Capitals List
May 20, 2010
Bakersfield is the nation's 19th best "Cookout Capital," making it one of the most ideal grilling locations, according to propane tank exchange provider Blue Rhino.
Kern's Economic Strength Continues to Improve
May 18, 2010
Kern County's economic strength continues to improve, according to a study released May 13.
Bakersfield Population Up 1.5%
April 30, 2010
The City of Bakersfield's 2010 population increased 1.5% over 2009, according to estimates released Thursday by the California Department of Finance's Demographic Research Unit.
Kern Personal Income Shows Growth
April 22, 2010
Among California’s 58 counties, Kern County had the seventh strongest growth rate in total personal income between 2007 and 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The BEA issued its 2008 income report today, providing breakdowns for 3,109 counties from Maine to Hawaii.
Kern Housing 3rd Most Affordable in California
April 20, 2010
Kern County is the third most affordable housing market in California, according to a study released today.
Bakersfield Car Buyers Warming Up to Hybrids
April 19, 2010
Bakersfield car buyers are showing more interest in purchasing hybrid vehicles, according to Cars.com's third-annual Green Cities Index.
Kern 2nd Lowest Cost of Doing Business in CA
April 14, 2010
Kern County has the second lowest cost of doing business among major California metro areas, according to a report released today by Forbes.com.
Bakersfield Among Least Expensive Cities for Business Travelers
April 6, 2010
Bakersfield is one of the most inexpensive destinations for business travelers among 100 U.S. cities, according to a March 29 report in Business Travel News
Bakersfield Among Top Green Appliance Markets
March 24, 2010
The Bakersfield area is one of the top markets for households with energy saving, or "green," appliances.
Kern Now 63rd Largest Metro
March 23, 2010
Kern County is the nation's 63rd most populous metro area, based upon Census Bureau estimates released today.
Bakersfield Solar Energy Project Unveiled
March 22, 2010
Chevron Corporation today announced the start of Project Brightfield, a demonstration of next-generation solar energy technologies in Bakersfield.
Kern No. 2 in 10 Year Job Growth
March 19, 2010
Kern County ranked No. 2 in private sector job growth over the last ten years among the nation's 100 largest labor markets, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kern 4th Best California Market for Young Adults
March 16, 2010
Kern County ranks fourth among the largest California metros as the Best Markets for Young Adults, according to Portfolio.com.
Kern Oil Find Among Largest in Three Decades
March 15, 2010
The Kern County oil discovery announced last year by Occidental Petroleum may be "the biggest onshore oil discovery the U.S. has seen in three decades," according to the March 29 issue of Forbes Magazine.
Kern Among Top Paying Markets for Some Financial Jobs
March 9, 2010
Salaries for five financial and business occupations in Kern County rank among the top 10% of those paid in the nation's largest labor markets, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kern Tops in CA Job Growth
February 5, 2010
Kern County had the largest rate of five-year job growth among major California labor markets, according to an analysis released today. Kern also had one of the largest rates of job growth in the nation.
Bakersfield 57th Most Populous US City
January 26, 2010
Bakersfield is now the nation’s 57th most populous city, according to the US Census Bureau. Previously, Bakersfield was 58th largest.
Bakersfield No. 2 in College Grad Income Rise
December 18, 2009
Incomes for college graduates in the Bakersfield area have increased more than any other major metro area in the nation, except El Paso, Texas. That is the finding of Forbes.com.
Bakersfield Top CA City in Renter Satisfaction
December 14, 2009
Renters in Bakersfield are more satisfied than renters in any other city in California, according to a survey released December 8.
Kern 62nd Largest Metro in US
November 30, 2009
Kern County is the nation's 62nd largest metropolitan area.
Bakersfield Housing Affordability Remains Steady
November 24, 2009
At the end of September, the affordability of housing in the Bakersfield metropolitan statistical area -- which includes all of Kern County -- dipped slightly from the previous quarter, but not by much.
Kern Best Performing Area in CA
November 12, 2009
Kern County is the top ranked California metro when it comes to creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth, according to a study by the Milken Institute released yesterday.
Kern Population Among Most Mobile
November 4, 2009
Kern County's population is more mobile than most other large metro areas in the nation, according to Census Bureau data released recently.
Bakersfield Office Vacancies Still Among Lowest in US
October 26, 2009
Bakersfield's office vacancies remain among the lowest in the nation, according to figures released today by Colliers International.
Kern's Job Outlook Best in CA
October 19, 2009
The job outlook for Kern County is better than for other large labor markets in California.
Kern 77th Largest Economy in U.S.
September 25, 2009
Kern County is the nation's 77th largest economy, based upon a report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released yesterday.
Bakersfield Among Top-Rated Real Estate Investment Markets
August 11, 2009
Bakersfield is No. 2 among California and Florida markets most likely to yield above-average investment returns on residential real estate over the next ten years, according to an analysis released today.
Kern Manufacturing Jobs Up Since 2004
August 5, 2009
Kern County is one of only seven of the nation's 100 largest labor markets to gain manufacturing jobs since 2004, according to an analysis released today.
Kern Loses Fewer Jobs
July 29, 2009
Kern County had the fewest job losses among the largest California labor markets, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn more…
Bakersfield Among California Top Ten Solar Cities
July 14, 2009
Bakersfield ranks No. 6 among California cities in the number of solar roofs, according to a July 7 report.
Bakersfield Drivers Ranked 2nd in CA
July 9, 2009
Bakersfield drivers are the second safest in California, according to a report released July 8.
Bakersfield Among Fastest Growing Cities
July 2, 2009
Bakersfield was among the nation's 25 fastest growing cities between 2000 and 2008, according to estimates released yesterday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bakersfield Again Has Lowest Parking Rates
June 29, 2009
Bakersfield again has the lowest monthly parking rates in the nation, according to Colliers International.
Kern Ranked Among High-Tech Regions
June 4, 2009
A report released this week shows how Kern County ranks among other North American regions in their ability to grow and sustain thriving high-tech industries.
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