Kern Coalition - California Jobs First
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Join the Kern Coalition in developing an equitable economic future for our region!
We are working together to bring good, quality jobs to Kern County through California Jobs First (formerly the Community Economic Resilience Fund).
Announcement: RFP for Sector Investment Coordinators
The Kern Coalition has posted an RFP for Sector Investment Coordinators, open through November 19th at 2:00 PM: RFP For Sector Investment Coordinators.
Regional Plan Part II
The Regional Plan Part 2 builds on the baseline economic assessment outlined in the Kern High Road Transition Collaborative’s Regional Plan Part 1 by providing a comprehensive strategy for creating new, high-quality jobs in six priority industries that are closely aligned with the objectives of California Jobs First.
This strategy, which seeks to grow the Kern County region’s economy and improve the
wellbeing of all residents, including historically disinvested communities, focuses
on a mix of tradable and locally serving industries that will collectively support
the state’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
Note: Translated versions are currently being developed and will be posted once complete.
Download the Regional Plan Part 2: Regional Plan Part 2 (PDF)
Empowering Kern, Building Futures:
The California Jobs First Summit
Thank you for helping to make our Empowering Kern, Building Futures: The California
Jobs First Summit a success! To view the recorded webinar in English, Spanish or Punjabi, visit the Zoom page:
The California Jobs First Summit Webinar
California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative Update
The Kern Coalition is working with Dalberg, a consulting firm tasked with developing the Regional Plan Part 2 due to the state on August 30.
This plan will include information and data collected in the Regional Plan Part 1 process as well as information obtained at upcoming subregional meetings, via stakeholder meetings and outreach to interested parties as well as other research and analysis.
Upcoming Meetings: View the Calendar
All updates and information will be provided on this website. For more information please email the Kern Coalition at KernCERF@kccd.edu.
Addendum to the Regional Plan Part 1
The addendum to the Regional Plan Part 1 addresses feedback from the State to build on the initial Regional Plan Part 1.
Both the addendum and State feedback are found below.
State Feedback on the Regional Plan Part 1 (English)
Addendum to the Regional Plan Part 1 (English)
State Feedback on the Regional Plan Part 1 (Spanish)
Addendum to the Regional Plan Part 1 (Spanish)
State Feedback on the Regional Plan Part 1 (Punjabi)
Addendum to the Regional Plan Part 1 (Punjabi)
Regional Plan Part 1
This plan was produced by UC Merced and reflects their recommendations to the Kern Coalition. The Regional Plan Part 1 is a living document that will continue to be further developed.
Regional Plan Part 1 - English (PDF)
Regional Plan Part 1 - Spanish (PDF)
Regional Plan Part 1 - Punjabi (PDF)
You can provide your input through the feedback form below or at your subregion's upcoming Subregional Collaborative meeting.
Regional Plan Part 1: Feedback Form (English)
Regional Plan Part 1: Feedback Form (Spanish)
Regional Plan Part 1: Feedback Form (Punjabi)
Read more additional resources that have informed the Kern Coalition in developing
and carrying out our local
California Jobs First initiative and the Regional Plan Part 1:
Regional Plan Part 1 - Additional Resources
Upcoming Subregional Collaborative Meetings
Governance Council
On November 29th, 2023, a county-wide election was held for each subregion to elect their representatives.
Visit the Governance Council page to see who will represent you as we collaborate in building an inclusive economic and workforce development infrastructure for Kern County.
The induction of the Kern Coalition California Jobs First Governance Council was held January 11th, 2024.
Watch the ceremony recording on Zoom: Kern Coalition California Jobs First Governance Council Induction Ceremony
How California Jobs First is Evolving
The Kern Coalition is dedicated to making sure the effort to bring good jobs to Kern County involves all kinds of people, from every region of our county. We are committed to a fair process where we engage deeply with the community to refine our proposals and bring job development funds to our region.
*Information may change as the CERF infrastructure continues to evolve.
Visit this page for a text-only version of the graphic: Graphic - Regional Conveners
How the Kern Coalition is bringing good-quality jobs to Kern County:
About the Kern Coalition
The Kern Coalition was formed with a vision to bring good, quality jobs to Kern County, particularly to the areas that need it the most.
In 2021, the State of California announced the CERF (Community Economic Resiliency Fund) Program, now known as California Jobs First. This program will distribute $600 million across the state, to go toward economic recovery and growth. The funds are being distributed by a competitive grant process, which means each region has to put together a plan and then apply for funding from the state.
Here in Kern County, our goal is to create a grant proposal for funding that includes everyone’s voice. Our mission is to have people of all ages, backgrounds, job types and opinions come together and imagine a better future for our community.
Read more about the background, goals and timeline of the Kern Coalition: About the Kern Coalition
Newsletter Signup
The Kern Coalition sends updates about events, meeting info, resources and news to our newsletter mailing list.
Get Involved
Individuals
Anyone of any age with any background is welcome to join the Kern Coalition. Getting involved means signing up for our newsletter, connecting on social media, and joining our regular subregional collaborative meetings to share your insights about what our county needs for a bright economic future.
These meetings will take place over the next year and a half as the Kern Coalition works with the community to assemble a proposal to submit to the State of California, with the goal of bringing good, quality jobs to Kern County, particularly in areas that need it most.
To make it easy for everyone to attend, the county has been split into five subregions - North, South, Central, East and West. See the “Find Your Subregion” section below to locate your subregion and join the next meeting in your area.
Organizations
The Kern Coalition welcomes local organizations to join us in our mission to bring good jobs to our community. Our current list of partners can be found on the About Us page.
These partners submitted Collective Partnership Agreement Letters (CPALs) when the Kern Coalition applied for grant funds in order to jumpstart the planning process.
If you would like to submit a letter or have questions about how to get involved with the Kern Coalition, email KernCERF@kccd.edu.
You can find a copy of the template letter on the Resources page.
Find Your Subregion
Which of the five subregions do you live and work in?
Find your subregion below:
North Subregion
- Delano: 93215, 93216
- Lost Hills: 93249
- McFarland: 93250
- Shafter: 93263
- Wasco: 93280
- Woody: 93287
The North Subregion includes Shafter, Wasco, McFarland, Delano and Lost Hills. For a full list of zip codes and cities, meeting information and resources, visit the subregion’s page:
South Subregion
- Arvin: 93203
- Lamont: 93241
- Greenfield: 93307
- Fuller Acres: 93307
- Edmundson Acres: 93203
- Weedpatch: 93241
The South Subregion is the area of Kern County south of the 58 and east of the 99, including Greenfield, Fuller Acres, Lamont, Weedpatch, Edmunson Acres and Arvin. For a full list of zip codes and cities, meeting information and resources, visit the subregion’s page:
East Subregion
- Bodfish: 93205
- California City: 93504, 93505
- Kernville: 93238
- Lake Isabella: 93240
- Mojave: 93501, 93502
- Edwards: 93523, 93524
- Ridgecrest: 93555, 93556
- Rosamond: 93560
- Tehachapi: 93561, 93581
The East Subregion is the area of Kern County to the east of Bakersfield, including Ridgecrest, Lake Isabella, Tehachapi, Rosamond and Edwards AFB. For a full list of zip codes and cities, meeting information and resources, visit the subregion’s page:
West Subregion
- Taft: 93268
- Buttonwillow: 93206
- McKittrick: 93251
- Derby Acres: 93224
- Maricopa: 93252
The West Subregion is the area of Kern County west of the 99, including Buttonwillow, McKittrick, Derby Acres, and Maricopa. For a full list of zip codes and cities, meeting information and resources, visit the subregion’s page:
Central Subregion
- Bakersfield: 93301, 93302, 93303, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93307, 93308, 93309, 93310, 93311, 93312, 93313, 93314, 93380, 93383, 93384, 93385, 93386, 93387, 93388, 93389, 93390
- Edison: 93220
The Central Subregion is the area of Kern County that includes Edison and Bakersfield, including the Rosedale, Oildale, Downtown, Southeast and Southwest neighborhoods. For a full list of zip codes, meeting information and resources, visit the subregion’s page:
Upcoming Meetings
South Subregion
TBD
North Subregion
TBD
East Subregion
TBD
West Subregion
TBD
Central Subregion
TBD
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