Recycling Market Development Zone
Greater So. San Joaquin Valley
The Greater South San Joaquin Valley Recycling Market Development Zone encompasses all of Tulare and Kings County which lies in the heart of California’s Central Valley, and is home to the Sequoia National Park and Forest, as well as Lemoore Naval Air Station. The RMDZ includes unincorporated areas along with the incorporated cities of Avenal, Corcoran, Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Hanford, Lemoore, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Woodlake and Visalia. The combined population of the RMDZ is 605,103 (source: US Census-2013 Estimate).
Tulare and Kings County are located in California’s Central Valley recognized as the world's most productive location for food production and processing. Agriculture drives the economy; the area supplies half the nation's fruits and vegetables. In addition to large agricultural production, the Zone leads the nation in dairy production in 2013 at a combined $3.07 billion production value. Many major corporations that produce cheese and milk products are located in Tulare and Kings County.
Tulare and Kings County located in California’s Central Valley certainly represent a unique part of California, located close enough to the large, active ports of Oakland, Los Angeles, and Long Beach to participate in international trade, but far enough away to avoid the urban sprawl and congestion accompanying city growth.
Incentives
The Greater South San Joaquin Valley RMDZ offers an array of incentives for business and industry investing in the zone, including:
• Expedited permitting
• Manufacturer’s sales tax exemption
• Hiring tax credits
• Employer hiring assistance
Other incentives include the Foreign Trade Zone designation offering companies all of the benefits associated with utilizing the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone status such as duty deferral, duty elimination or reduction and merchandise processing fee savings.
Other benefits available to companies include industrial development bonds, loans (RMDZ, SBA, USDA, revolving loan programs) and assistance in identifying grants.
Job training programs are offered through local job training agencies and the local economic development corporations. Training programs can include reimbursements to employers for wages paid during an employee’s training period. Based on usage there may be some allowances given to reduce utility rates.
Target Materials
• Construction & Demolition Debris
• Plastics
• Organics
• Paper
Infrastructure
Interstate 5, and State Highway’s 99, 41, 43, 198 and 65 serve the zone, in the east/west and north/south direction. The Santa Fe and Union Southern Pacific Railroad provide the infrastructure for freight and passenger rail service. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad/Genesee Wyoming Rail provides short line rail freight service for both Santa Fe and Southern Pacific lines. Amtrak is the passenger rail provider conveniently located in the city of Hanford. Passenger air travel and air freight service is available at the Visalia Airport, as well as at the Fresno Air Terminal located within a 40 minute commute time.
Electric utility providers serving areas in the RMDZ include Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric. Southern California Gas Company provides natural gas service. With over 350 days of sunshine, solar energy installations have created a dedicated energy supply for residential and business establishments reducing utility rates. Water and sewer services are provided by the municipalities located within the Zone. CalWater provides water service to residents and industry customers in the city of Visalia. Major carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Sprint and others provide telecommunication services.
There are three large material recovery facilities that serve the RMDZ zone in Kings and Tulare County. Programs are in place to collect green waste, plastics, tires, manure, C&D, beverage containers and new programs to collect food waste have been implemented in select communities in the RMDZ.
The zone has a ready supply of improved industrial land and improved commercial land for new construction. Nationally ranked for its agricultural industry, the zone’s affordable housing and land costs and abundant work force attracts manufacturing and related industries to the area.
Contacts
Shawna Bryant
Economic Development Manager309 West Main St
Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: (559) 625-3100
Email: shawna@tularecountyedc.com
County: Tulare
CalRecycle Contact: Frank Severson
Zone Assistance: Regional Zone Contacts or LAMD@calrecycle.ca.gov, (916) 341-6199