Tulare County is located in California's Central Valley, a geographically, diverse region. The County includes an area of 4,863 square miles. The Sierra Nevada mountains rise to more than 14,000 feet in its Eastern half.

Meanwhile, the extensively cultivated and fertile valley floor in the Western part of Tulare County has allowed the County to become the second-leading producer of agricultural commodities in the United States. For example, local farmers and ranchers produce more than 120 major crops annually with an annual wholesale value approaching $5 billion. Tulare County also is the largest dairy production region in the state and the nation. 

The 2010 United States Census reported that Tulare County had a population of 442,179. Centrally located in the great Central Valley of California, Tulare County is just 225 miles north of Los Angeles and 200 miles south of San Francisco. The median age of our County residents is just 28.5 years old - one of the youngest regional populations in California. Businesses choosing to locate here will discover we have a workforce that is both available and affordable.
 
The County of Tulare is governed by a five member elected Board of Supervisors. The County Administrative Officer oversees the administration of County agencies and departments. The Economic Development Office resides within the County Resource Management Agency.
 
 
Tulare County Board of Supervisors
Allen Ishida, District One
Pete Vander Poel, District Two
Phil Cox, District Three
J. Steven Worthley, District Four
Mike Ennis, District Five

Tulare County Administration
Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer

Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Jake Raper, Jr. , AICP - Agency Director
  

To promote economic development effectively, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Strategic Business Plan in 2006 emphasizing a strategic initiative designed to enhance the economic well-being of Tulare County's residents by providing, among other things, "a business-friendly" and "can-do work ethic."  This economic development initiative is being implemented extensively by the County Administrative Office in conjunction with the Resource Management Agency.

In addition to substantial packing and shipping operations, agriculturally-related facilities are increasing in number and are becoming an important economic factor in the County's total economic picture.

The Tulare County Economic Development Response Team stands ready to assist decision-makers who seek to locate, establish or expand businesses in our area with site selection, rapid development permitting, and custom-tailored workforce development solutions.

Additionally, Tulare County is within an Enterprise Zone (EZ) which offers a number of economically-favorable incentives such as:


•          21-Day permit fast-tracking
•          5-year, no interest, development fee deferral
•          State tax credits for hiring
•          State tax credits for purchasing qualified equipment
•          Accelerated expense deductions
•          Net interest deduction
•          Preference points on state contracts
 

For personal assistance with any of these matters, please contact:
 
Tulare County Economic Development Response Team
(559) 624-7000 - or email the team
 
Michael C. Spata, Assistant Director - Planning Branch
Michael Washam, Economic Development Program Manager
Eric Coyne, Tourism Manager and Film Commissioner
Fred Brusuelas, AICP, Chief Planner, Countywide Planning Division
Charlotte Brusuelas, Interim Chief Planner, Project Review Division
Hector Guerra, Chief Planner, Environmental Planning Division
Dennis Lehman, Manager, Building and Housing Division