"The Community and Economic Development Department is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of Kern County residents, primarily those with lower incomes, by improving their economic environmental and social quality of life. We achieve this through projects and programs that revitalize neighborhoods by providing safer living environments, decent and affordable housing, public facilities and improvements, and expanded employment opportunities."

This mission is carried out in local neighborhoods and communities within the County’s entitlement jurisdiction of unincorporated Kern County and the incorporated cooperative agreement cities of Arvin, California City, Maricopa, Ridgecrest, Shafter and Tehachapi. The City of Bakersfield is an entitlement jurisdiction of its own. Its program is administered by the City of Bakersfield’s Economic and Community Development Department.