Kern4HMF is pushing for thousands of high paying jobs to come to Kern County.
The name stands for Kern for Heavy Maintenance Facility and the group formed mid January with the common goal of pushing for this facility. The facility would be one of a handful of hubs that would maintain the high speed rail and trains.
At first the facility would be where equipment comes in, be assembled and ultimately go into service, according to Cheryl Scott, Vice President of Kern Economic Development Corporation.
Scott says this is a huge opportunity Kern County needs to seize as it would create another industry to employ residents.
"Now Kern County residents, probably more than ever, are aware of how important it is to have diversification when it comes to jobs," Scott alluding to low crude oil prices and the drought affecting the agriculture industry.
She says the facility would bring 1,500 to 2,000 jobs that pay between $80,000 and $100,000 jobs.
Some are against the High Speed Rail project and don't think it will come to fruition.
Congressman David Valadao says this project hurts the families he represents, "because it takes a lot of taxpayer money that could be spent on things like water, could be spent on education, could be spent on keeping criminals off the street."
Scott said having the facility here in Kern County would save taxpayer money, reminding residents of the Caterpillar Distribution Center that was a huge success.
"This is something we all really can get behind, because it's good for our community," Scott said.
