Balestra: This location provides tremendous access to a large population base, being literally at the geographic population center of California with access to 65 million people within a two day truck turn. Only two hours north of the San Pedro Bay port complex, truck access to the North and South via Highway 99 and Interstate 5 with access to I-40, I-15 and US 395 via Highway 58 provides efficient goods movement to the entire Western U.S. and beyond. Kern County is evolving into a significant center for logistics-oriented industrial activity as a result of its location and transportation assets. Less than three miles down the street from Paramount Logistics Park is a monument that pinpoints the geographic population center of California, confirming that Kern County is the center of California's population bases.

Kern County's economy has historically been rooted in the energy and agriculture industries. While these sectors contribute to the fluctuations in the unemployed and underemployed, it also creates an ideal opportunity for employers wanting access to an affordable, motivated labor force. Entry level workforce is projected to grow 22 percent over the next 10 years with a median workforce age of 30.7 years old. Kern County is ranked #5 in U.S. private sector job growth with low employee turnover rates well below industry averages, and is ranked first nationally with the fastest growing workforce. With cost of doing business at 85 percent of the national average and a cost of living 16 percent below that of Los Angeles, more and more national and global companies have recognized the benefits of being located in Kern County – as the area seems to have “taken off” in the past few years.

Kern County and the City of Shafter streamline the development plan check and county and city building permitting processes to less than nine weeks on average. Companies in search of speed and certainty of execution that locate within Kern County experience a great advantage with the ability to bring facilities to market much faster, as compared to competitive locations. With more than 26 million square feet of in place by-right entitlements at our Paramount Logistics Park in Shafter, we have been able to expedite the development process and get facilities fully operational in less than a year. For most distribution companies developing facilities in that timeline is unheard of.

Kern County and the area surrounding the City of Shafter is firmly stamping its place on the map as a proven logistics solution to the distribution of goods to and from the ports of California throughout the Western U.S and beyond for major national distributors such as Target, Ikea, Sears, Ross Dress for Less and American Tire Distributors, who all occupy distribution centers 1 million square feet and greater.

GlobeSt.com: How does the Kern County industrial market fit into the overall landscape of the Southern California and national industrial market?

Kern County is closer to Southern California's active Inland Empire than most people think. Paramount Logistics Park is located only 55 miles north of the LA County line, and has emerged as a legitimate alternative for many distributors that are looking for an area with abundant land, low development costs and outstanding labor dynamics , and very favorable overall costs of living and doing business. With cost of doing business at 85 percent of the national average, more and more national and global companies have recognized the benefits of being located in Kern County – as the area seems to have “taken off” in the past few years. As vacancies decrease, land values continue to rise and supply of industrial land and product remains low in the Inland Empire industrial market, Kern County's growing industrial marketplace is proving to be a cost-effective solution as demand for this industrial space, and in particular Big Box product, continues to hold strong in 2015. It is very difficult to locate sites greater than 20 to 30 acres in Southern California where as Ken County has abundant land available for projects up to 160 acres or larger.

On a national scale, Kern County has proven to be a cost-effective solution for distributors looking to reach the entire western US market or nationally. Paramount Logistics Park's location offers distributors a location central to 65 million people at a lower total cost of operations that will positively affect productivity and profit.

Additionally, there is an abundant labor force expected to increase its entry-level population by 22% in the next 10 years. Kern County and the area surrounding the City of Shafter is firmly stamping its place on the map as a proven logistics solution to the distribution of goods to and from the ports of California and throughout the Western US for distributors. The current perception is that Kern County is in the middle of nowhere, when really it's in the middle of everywhere.

GlobeSt.com: What Kern County cities are seeing the most growth?

Balestra: There is a lot of development throughout the southern part of Kern County, specifically in the greater Bakersfield metro. In this region, construction is underway on large industrial facilities, retail properties and housing developments. Because of rapid population and job growth taking place in the area, business owners and real estate developers have recognized the opportunity for growth and development in the region.

In the past year to date, there have been more than 3.5 million square feet of industrial facility construction starts at Paramount Logistics Park and North Meadows Business Park (located adjacent to Bakersfield's Meadows Airport), most of which are nearing completion. On the south side of Bakersfield, development has begun at the 80-acre CrossRoads Business Park that will grow to be a mix of office, retail, medical, commercial and light industrial spaces.

GlobeSt.com: What type of companies should consider Kern County for its industrial needs?

Balestra: Kern County is a unique location in the United States. Companies that should consider locating in Kern County include bulk importers, ecommerce and Omni channel distribution companies that need to distribute to the entire West Coast, or just Northern and Southern California. American Tire Distributors, Sears, Target, Ikea and Ross Dress for Less are currently located in Kern County, proving that the location is ideal for companies who have a need for both a broad regional and local reach.

As the supply of industrial space in Southern California tightens up and lease rates reach new highs, Kern County and its recent industrial developments have become an attractive option for distributors looking for total cost of operations efficiencies within two hours of the Los Angeles MSA.

GlobeSt.com: What does the future hold for the Kern County industrial market?

Balestra: Kern County is gaining momentum because of its many operational advantages that add up to a low total cost of business and distribution of goods. As development in Kern County continues to boom, there will be a spike in the year-round job opportunities for locals. As more and more Fortune 500 companies recognize this opportunity and take action, the focus is shifting from the Inland Empire and Northern California areas to include Kern County.

We have entitlements for 26 million square feet of distribution warehouses at Paramount Logistics Park alone, but have only built out approximately 6 million square feet. There is plenty of opportunity for companies in the area to join other massive market players.

GlobeSt.com: Please describe a project or two that is indicative of the Kern County industrial market.

Balestra: One project that is telling of the Kern county market is the Paramount Logistics Park project in the City of Shafter. Similarly to Kern County, it too has just kicked off and in the past few years has shown enormous demand. It has entitlements for 26 million square feet of land, which offers tremendous opportunity for companies to take advantage of the location and other efficiencies. As mentioned before, only 6 million square feet of product has been developed or is currently under development at Paramount Logistics Park. With in-place approval efficiencies, both in-house and via the City of Shafter, backed by Roll Global's strength in capital, we are certain to deliver a facility within a truncated development timeline to meet the needs of expanding companies.