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Kern County Moves Forward: Celebrating 16 Transformational Catalyst Projects
Kern County’s 16 Catalyst Projects will invest nearly $9 million to advance economic equity and innovation across Kern County as part of the California Jobs First Initiative. These projects represent a powerful commitment to inclusive prosperity, aligning with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2's vision for just transition, workforce inclusion, rural resilience, and climate innovation. From establishing innovation hubs in underserved communities to expanding clean energy workforce development, each initiative embodies a locally-driven approach to creating measurable, scalable impact.
The Catalyst Fund, made possible through a groundbreaking state-regional partnership, empowers communities to develop projects in the clean economy, working lands, healthcare, and workforce development sectors. These investments reflect the Kern Coalition's commitment to building economic transformation rooted in equity and opportunity for all residents, particularly those in disinvested communities. Today, we're proud to celebrate all 16 exceptional projects that are already moving Kern County toward a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Lideres Campesinas Co-op Farming and Land Stewardship
Lideres Campesinas’ Co-op Farming and Land Stewardship is a farmworker, women-Led farming Project that empowers farmworker women through cooperative farming, leadership development, digital-skills training, and participatory land-access planning. Metrics include forming a 20-member advisory committee, delivering 6+ workshops, awarding 20 stipends, conducting field exchanges, and producing a public toolkit.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by supporting working-lands innovation, uplifting agricultural workers, and promoting equitable participation in ag-tech and cooperative economic models.
Project Development Solutions
The PDS KernGRIT Hub project accelerates and scales up fit-for-Kern industry-targeted opportunities in agriculture, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing while advancing workforce development and community engagement, particularly in underserved areas. Deliverables include completion of a hub feasibility study and operational framework, provision of technical assistance, implementation of an Agrivoltaics Demonstration Project, collaboration with the City of Bakersfield on a land asset and manufacturing strategy, and development of a comprehensive Kern County workforce development strategy.
The project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by supporting clean-economy industry development, supporting working-lands and clean-energy innovation, and reinforcing inclusive workforce pathways that prepare residents for emerging clean-sector opportunities.
Renewell Energy Storage Initiative
The Renewell – Gravity Wells project pilots the first multi-well gravity-well installation in Kern County to provide a lower-emission, lower-cost alternative to traditional plug-and-abandonment processes. Metrics include installing two gravity-well demonstration wells, completing density-enhancement testing, and producing formal labor-impact and training-needs analyses.
With its focus on innovative well repurposing and workforce transition, the Renewell – Gravity Wells project directly aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 priorities to support community resilience, clean energy, and climate-aligned job creation.
Lamont Auto Repair
The Lamont EV Workforce & Repair Center project will create a locally operated training center that serves disadvantaged communities, increases access to green technology services, and creates quality jobs in alignment with California’s clean energy goals and AB617 efforts. The project will establish an EV certified facility, train and certify 4-6 local technicians in EV systems, launch full EV repair services for the public, expand community awareness and access to Electric Vehicle maintenance, and result in long-term local job creation. This project aligns with Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by expanding clean-sector job opportunities and modernizing local service industries in disadvantaged communities.
Renewell Energy
Renewell Energy – Piston Project advances early-stage energy storage technology by validating mechanical performance, hydraulic control, and system efficiency for future deployment in Kern County. Metrics include completing Test 1 and Test 2, achieving seal-performance thresholds below 50 ml/hr, and documenting >85% round-trip efficiency of surface components.
In alignment with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2, this project supports and contributes to energy sector diversification, supporting clean-technology advancement, and preparing the region’s workforce for next-generation energy infrastructure.
TDH International
The Clean Hydrogen Production System Project advances regional clean-energy innovation by developing small self-contained biowaste-to-hydrogen production and charging systems that support decarbonization goals and emerging clean-energy workforce opportunities. Metrics included support system performance validation, testing of hydrogen production efficiency, and documenting included operational outputs from prototype deployment.
It aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by supporting Kern’s clean-energy diversification strategy and building the technical foundation for future high-road jobs in the clean-energy sector.
City of McFarland
The North Kern Innovation Hub represents a vital collaboration between the City of McFarland, Mujeres Activas, and the McFarland Community Foundation to advance workforce equity and job creation. Our goal of establishing 10 MOU agreements with industry partners and engaging 500 individuals in community listening sessions demonstrates our commitment to measurable, equitable growth for underserved communities. Document Highlights: North Kern Innovation Hub Work Plan.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part II by supporting industry transformation within Kern’s working-lands economy and strengthening innovation capacity across technology, rural entrepreneurship, and community-driven workforce development.
Kern County Building Exchange Inc.
Kern County Business & Economic Exchange Project strengthens the regional ecosystem for entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic mobility through coordinated business and training pathways. Metrics include achieving 40% participation from marginalized populations, supporting new business development, and tracking job-placement and wage-growth outcomes.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by bolstering sector diversification, strengthening small-business eco-systems and improving access to workforce opportunities.
Stratolaunch
The Stratolaunch Aerospace Electrical Training Program will complete construction on their Training Facility, develop curriculum, and provide training to 10 internal candidates thereby increasing the pool of qualified aerospace electrical technicians with advanced skills in soldering, conformal coatings and wire harness fabrication.
The Stratolaunch project aligns with Regional Plan Part 2 by strengthening the aerospace and defense industries’ training and talent pipeline by expanding high-skill workforce training capacity in East Kern.
The Wonderful Career Center Property LLC
The Wonderful Career Center Property – Westside Community Coalition Project strengthens community-led economic development and expands access to essential services for underserved Westside families. Metrics include community engagement milestones and measurable increases in participant reach. This project advances its feasibility by conducting a structure assessment of community needs, solidifying partnerships essential to program delivery, and developing the core materials, schedules, and equipment requirements identified in the application. Funding will directly support these feasibility activities, including research, outreach, and partnership coordination, and the project defines the successful completion of these feasibility studies as a primary indicator of readiness for next-phase implementation.
In alignment with Kern Regional Plan Part 2, this project supports advancing equity-centered community investment and supporting workforce participation across priority communities.
United Domestic Workers AFSCME
This project expands climate-resiliency career pathways for caregivers and low-wage workers increasing access to training and community-based engagement opportunities. Metrics include the number of UDW members enrolled in climate-resiliency courses, attendance at town halls and workshops, and tracking new-career pathway enrollment and partner engagements.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by strengthening economic mobility, supporting Just Transition efforts, and preparing residents for clean energy and climate-responsive industries.
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TalentBase – Veteran Workforce Launchpad
The TalentBase – Veteran and Workforce Talent Accelerator Initiative will expand access to career-aligned training for transitioning service members, student veterans, and unemployed veterans in Kern County while strengthening employer partnerships across the region’s aerospace, defense, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Metrics include launch of the TalentBase LMS platform, delivery of CoreMatch career-readiness training, outreach to recruit 100 veteran job placements and hiring commitment, SkillBridge program onboarding, and tracking veteran job placement and hiring conversions as outlined in the work plan.
This project aligns with Regional Plan Part 2 by advancing skilled-workforce development and supporting high-road employment pathways for veterans entering Kern’s priority industry sectors.
Sierra Shared Spaces
Lake Isabella Community Hub Pre-Development Project creates a rural hub for small business support, workforce development, and entrepreneurship while strengthening local community resilience. Metrics include generating 8 direct jobs, 25 partner-driven jobs, supporting 20 small businesses annually, and training 100 residents per year.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by strengthening rural workforce infrastructure, improving economic resilience, and supporting inclusive small-business ecosystems in Kern outlying regions.
MCSC Women’s Business Center Kern Initiative
The MCSC Women’s Business Center – Kern Initiative project expands entrepreneurial support services for women-owned and underserved small businesses in Kern County. Metrics include the number of businesses served, workshops delivered, and technical assistance engagements completed.
This project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by supporting small business resilience and economic mobility within disadvantaged communities.
Central California Asthma Collaborative
CCAC’s Kern Climate Action Solutions Access (Kern-CASA) project expands home electrification, building-decarbonization benefits, and clean-energy workforce opportunities for low-income households, especially those impacted by asthma. Metrics include 20–25 whole-home electrification retrofits, 30 SEED trainees, 300 paid work-experience hours for six participants, and engaging 1,500 eligible households.
In alignment with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by advancing building decarbonization capacity, improving community health, and supporting workforce development in the clean-energy and clean-infrastructure sectors.
Vision y Compromiso
The Vision y Compromiso Community Leadership Project enhances the leadership and service capacity of promotoras to deliver culturally rooted health, climate, and economic supports for Latino families. The VyC project will engage 4-6 employers, recruit 20 promotoras for training, of which 18 complete, and 16 complete 6 individual job coaching sessions, 14 secure at least 1 interview, and 10 are hired. The project will conduct and track participation in community engagement workshops.
The Vision y Compromiso project aligns with the Kern Regional Plan Part 2 by strengthening community health workforce pathways, supporting California Community Health Worker Initiatives, and will result in increased service access to priority populations.
