Everyone here is simply over the moon with the announcement that Google has chosen little ole' Bako to build a state-of-the-art research and development center focusing on emerging technologies. The plan is to eventually expand it to the point that it will make Kern County a major technology hub.
They cited the huge investment the county has made in renewable energy a major draw, as well as the fact that the area is well situated between Silicon Valley and the media companies of LA. If and when they build high speed rail, it'll make Bakersfield an easy hop from either direction. And of course, there's the low cost of land and the "friendly" business environment. I guess all that corruption finally paid off.
I'm sure the City and County gave away the store to get them here, but I don't think anyone here is complaining. Everyone's property values probably just doubled overnight. Rather than being exiled to a provincial backwater, it now looks like we'll be here to get in on the ground floor of something really great. Who woulda thunk it?
They hope to break ground within a year and hope to have Phase 1 up and running on this date in 2013, so everybody mark your calendars!
