Bakersfield leaders tout progress, future priorities at 2026 State of the City address

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Bakersfield leaders used the city’s 2026 State of the City address to spotlight recent progress and lay out priorities they say will shape the city’s future, from downtown revitalization to small business support and public safety.

The annual event brought together city officials, business leaders and community stakeholders to reflect on key accomplishments, highlight ongoing initiatives and discuss Bakersfield’s priorities moving forward.

City Manager Christian Clegg pointed to continued efforts to revitalize areas around Bakersfield, with a particular focus on downtown.

Bakersfield leaders tout progress, future priorities at 2026 State of the City address (KBAK/KBFX)

“Downtown is now experiencing the benefits of years and years of policy and infrastructure investments that needed to happen to create that synergy for projects to come to life.

That momentum is exciting, and it’s leading to more and more improvement,” Clegg said.

Mayor Karen Goh said the city has awarded more than $400,000 to help local small businesses.

“The funding helped launch and support 250 startup businesses. Create three hundred and thirty jobs and directly inject cash into Bakersfield’s small business economy,” Goh said.

As Bakersfield continues to grow in population and economically, concerns have been raised about a rise in affordability in the city.

Clegg said Bakersfield can improve without trying to mirror larger coastal cities.

Bakersfield leaders tout progress, future priorities at 2026 State of the City address (KBAK/KBFX)

“Bakersfield can have nice things. We don’t look to be like Los Angeles or San Francisco or San Diego. We want to be our own flavor of what we think is a good quality of life,” Clegg said.

Clegg said it is possible to improve Bakersfield while keeping it affordable.

“It’s a family-friendly, hard-working community and we can maintain that affordability by focusing on the things that are really important to our community. And maybe not some of those extra things that aren’t Bakersfield,” he said.

Bakersfield leaders tout progress, future priorities at 2026 State of the City address (KBAK/KBFX)

City leaders said they remain focused on supporting economic growth, continuing to improve public safety, and improving quality of life throughout the Bakersfield region.