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McQuiston talked about the region’s assets, primarily the unreplicatable Navy mission at China
Lake, which he said must continue be protected and promoted. In addition to the critical role China
Lake and Edwards play in national defense, DOD represents the largest employer in the district.
Lake, which he said must continue be protected and promoted. In addition to the critical role China
Lake and Edwards play in national defense, DOD represents the largest employer in the district.
If the county were a state, it would be the fourth-largest oil producer in the country, McQuiston said.
And the county’s agricultural ventures have helped California maintain its status as the third-highest
producer in that industry.
One of the fastest-growing trends is alternative energy — with sources for wind, solar and
geothermal throughout the region.
McQuiston said that the county produces 23 percent of renewable energy in the state. With more
than 4,000 megawatt hours in production now, and another 3,000 in the permitting phase for 2012,
the county is well on its way to meeting its goal of having 10,000 megawatt hours in production by
2015.
He also commended Ridgecrest resident Stuart Witt, who as CEO of Mojave Air and Space Port
has taken the facility from some 14 contracts with 450 employees to 69 contracts and more than
2,600 employees.
The entrepreneurial epicenter of private spaceflight development continues to be a world leader in
aeronautical breakthroughs and has attracted multi-million-dollar aviation projects from the likes of
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson.
Another coup for the IWV is landing an anchor point for the Digital 395 project, which means that
the region will benefit from a $100 million project to bring high-speed Internet access to rural parts of
California and Nevada.
“So we have a unique opportunity,” said McQuiston. “We are different than everyone else. And if
we, as innovators and entrepreneurs, put our best foot forward, we will be prepared for the future
bumps in the road.”
See also reports from Ridgecrest and China Lake leaders, this issue. Other presentations will be
featured in future editions of the News Review.
And the county’s agricultural ventures have helped California maintain its status as the third-highest
producer in that industry.
One of the fastest-growing trends is alternative energy — with sources for wind, solar and
geothermal throughout the region.
McQuiston said that the county produces 23 percent of renewable energy in the state. With more
than 4,000 megawatt hours in production now, and another 3,000 in the permitting phase for 2012,
the county is well on its way to meeting its goal of having 10,000 megawatt hours in production by
2015.
He also commended Ridgecrest resident Stuart Witt, who as CEO of Mojave Air and Space Port
has taken the facility from some 14 contracts with 450 employees to 69 contracts and more than
2,600 employees.
The entrepreneurial epicenter of private spaceflight development continues to be a world leader in
aeronautical breakthroughs and has attracted multi-million-dollar aviation projects from the likes of
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson.
Another coup for the IWV is landing an anchor point for the Digital 395 project, which means that
the region will benefit from a $100 million project to bring high-speed Internet access to rural parts of
California and Nevada.
“So we have a unique opportunity,” said McQuiston. “We are different than everyone else. And if
we, as innovators and entrepreneurs, put our best foot forward, we will be prepared for the future
bumps in the road.”
See also reports from Ridgecrest and China Lake leaders, this issue. Other presentations will be
featured in future editions of the News Review.
Conference speakers tout local strengths
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
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Even as the national and state
economies are sluggish in recovering
from the recession, innovation in
Ridgecrest, China Lake and Kern
County is helping to ensure a bright
future for the region.
This was the overall theme from
elected officials and leaders in military,
real estate and healthcare fronts. But
with that outlook came a realistic
assessment of current and coming
obstructions,and a call to residents to
join in a partnership designed to protect
the interests of the Indian Wells Valley.
“We are facing many challenges —
not just here in Kern County, but in the
nation,” said 1st District Supervisor Jon
McQuiston, who served as master of
ceremonies for last week’s Economic
Outlook Conference, sponsored by the
city and the Ridgecrest Chamber of
Commerce.
“But if we work together, we can find
the right path.”
economies are sluggish in recovering
from the recession, innovation in
Ridgecrest, China Lake and Kern
County is helping to ensure a bright
future for the region.
This was the overall theme from
elected officials and leaders in military,
real estate and healthcare fronts. But
with that outlook came a realistic
assessment of current and coming
obstructions,and a call to residents to
join in a partnership designed to protect
the interests of the Indian Wells Valley.
“We are facing many challenges —
not just here in Kern County, but in the
nation,” said 1st District Supervisor Jon
McQuiston, who served as master of
ceremonies for last week’s Economic
Outlook Conference, sponsored by the
city and the Ridgecrest Chamber of
Commerce.
“But if we work together, we can find
the right path.”
