Nestlé begins work on fully automated distribution center at Tejon Ranch
Nestlé USA Inc., part of the world’s largest food and beverage company, has agreed to open a fully automated distribution center on the east side of the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center.
Lebec-based agribusiness and real estate developer Tejon Ranch Co. announced Tuesday construction has begun on a more than 700,000-square-foot, multi-story building Nestlé will occupy on a 58-acre parcel along Interstate 5 north of The Grapevine.
Nestlé hopes to finish construction next year and begin operations in 2026. The project is designed to support future expansion.
TRC noted four transactions in the last two years have involved four sites at TRC representing more than 2.5 million square feet of space.
The Downtown Business Association said Tuesday
Melanie Farmer is stepping down as president and CEO after the organization’s State of the Downtown Breakfast set for 7:30 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Iron Lily, 424 24th St.
Farmer, hired as a bookkeeper in 2011, has served as chief executive since 2017. She will stay on as 2024 treasurer and as a volunteer.
Mission Bank’s holding company has announced
the retirement of a founding board member and the appointment of two new directors.
Arnold Cattani expects to step down in the spring. Helping fill the vacancy will be his daughter Emmy Cattani, a board member of Cattani Farming, Ranching & Real Estate, who earned a bachelor’s degree at Harvard College and a master’s degree at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Also joining the board as of February will be Michael Hair Jr., a Fresno State graduate with more than 25 years of experience in construction, land development and real estate. He serves on the board of the Home Builders Association of Kern County.
Bank President and CEO A.J. Antongiovanni said the new additions are part of Mission’s succession strategy for enduring, growing and thriving as it celebrates 25 years in business.
Forty-five Pizza Hut delivery people across Kern will lose
their jobs by mid-February, business franchisee CalPac Pizza LLC has announced.
A notice sent to county officials last month did not say why CalPac made the decision to eliminate the positions, which will be cut from six Bakersfield locations and one each in Delano and Wasco.
Marketer Claudia Newcorn will offer advice for retain
ing clients and building long-term customer relationships during a free, hourlong webinar being hosted by Cal State Bakersfield’s Small Business Development Center starting at noon today.
The author of “Zipline to Success” will join host and SBDC Director Kelly Bearden, who will also speak with local economist Mark Evans about options for putting Social Security on surer footing.
Bearden will additionally present information on the IRS Employee Retention Credit Amnesty Program, including how to qualify, and the Corporate Transparency Act and reporting beneficial ownership information. Sign up online at http://www.tinyurl.com/ BusinessRelief306.
Kern Health Systems will host its annual career expo
starting at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
KHS, which runs the Kern Family Health Care plan serving more than 400,000 people, is inviting people to explore career opportunities in a variety of professions and experience levels.
Department booths will connect potential candidates with employees who can explain their experience at KHS, company benefits and initiatives like health equity.
Attendees will be offered light snacks and refreshments. They must first RSVP online at www. kernhealthsystems.com/ careers.
Valley Strong Credit Union opened a new branch
Monday at 16227 Stockdale Highway to replace its 8200 Stockdale Highway Town & Country location.
One of 10 full-service branches in Kern, and among 31 across the Central Valley, the branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 to a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
A ribbon-cutting event set for 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 will feature performances by the Liberty High School Band and cheerleaders. Valley Strong board members, business and community partners and local public safety agencies will join the celebration. There will be free food, coffee and raffle prizes.
A fundraising effort led by Safe 1 Credit Union has
raised $9,234.08 for the Phillip Campas Legacy Project in support of scholarships for East Bakersfield High students and the local Devil Pups youth program.
The money came from sales of items including memorial shirts, plush dogs, replica dog tags and “challenge coins” commemorating the life of Phillip Campas, a Kern County Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty in 2021. The 81,000-member credit union matched sales dollar-for-dollar as part of an annual focus on a deserving local charitable cause.
Safe 1 specifically thanked Stay Focused Ministries and Electric Embroidery Co., which contributed $1,852.04 through shirt sales.