Clayco says it selected the location for Famous Footwear's warehouse after a reviewing other sites in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, Tejon executives say the strategic importance of Kern County and the Central Valley to California's growing logistics sector was a deciding factor in the deal.

"It is another retailer that is obviously focused on supply-chain efficiency and distribution patterns realizing the Central Valley as a whole and Tejon Ranch really works for them from a cost standpoint for efficient logistic operations," says Barry Hibbard, vice president of industrial and commercial development with Tejon Ranch.

Hibbard sees Kern and Tejon as a major attraction for future large distribution warehouses and turnkey facilities for distributors, manufacturers and retailers. "The Central Valley is really starting to pick up steam," he says. "It gives users the ability to use both ports, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and Oakland."Initially, Famous Footwear is supposed to bring 120 full-time positions to Kern County when this modern warehouse facility opens. Hibbard says the Central Valley has a large supply of affordable labor, "where people literally stand in line for a $10 an hour job."

Senior Vice Presidents Tom Taylor and John DeGrinis, SIOR, of Colliers International are the brokerage representatives for Tejon Industrial Complex, a master planned commercial and industrial development at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 99, south of Bakersfield. The development is home to 3 million sf of warehouse facilities including IKEA's Western North American Distribution Center, Oneida Ltd's West Coast Distribution Center and more than 60-acres of retail offerings, including: a Petro Travel Plaza, Best Western Hotel, In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks and Iron Skillet Restaurant.