SHAFTER, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Gov. Gavin Newsom touted economic benefits and job growth tied to California\u2019s high-speed rail project during a visit to Kern County, as some local leaders raised concerns about community impacts and decision-making around the rail\u2019s route.<\/p>\n
Newsom and state rail officials said the project is entering a new phase focused on construction and employment, with more than 1,700 workers on site each day across the Central Valley. Supporters say the project will bring long-term economic benefits to the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t just about transportation,\u201d Newsom said. \u201cIt\u2019s about jobs, growth, and revitalizing communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s visit comes as California faces ongoing budget pressures and questions persist about the project\u2019s long-term sustainability. Critics argue it remains unclear whether the massive investment will ultimately benefit working families and smaller cities along the route.<\/p>\n
Those concerns were echoed by leaders in the City of Shafter, where the rail line is planned to pass through the middle of the city. Mayor Chad Givens said Shafter officials were excluded from recent discussions celebrating project milestones.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re sitting on the outskirts of Shafter, but the city wasn\u2019t invited to any of the conversation,\u201d Givens said. \u201cThey\u2019ve leapfrogged us, and a lot of what was said today is simply not true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Givens said the current alignment could eliminate more than 30 local businesses and negatively affect homes, tax revenue and long-term economic growth. He also criticized what he described as efforts to accelerate the eminent domain process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t want to work with local jurisdictions \u2014 they just want to take what they need and move on,\u201d Givens said.<\/p>\n
The California High-Speed Rail Authority said its current proposal is designed to shorten construction timelines and reduce costs compared with a 2018 settlement agreement reached with the city.<\/p>\n
Ian Choudri, the authority\u2019s chief executive officer, said planning and environmental reviews are still underway and denied that any final decisions affecting Shafter have been made.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no changes to Shafter at this point,\u201d Choudri said. \u201cWe\u2019re continuing the planning process and prioritizing construction of the first 119 miles.\u201d<\/p>\n
While state and county leaders described the project as a win for the Central Valley, Shafter officials said progress should not come at the expense of local input.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo what you said you were going to do,\u201d Givens said. \u201cListen to the people. Do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n
High-speed rail officials said that by May or June, the area is expected to see hundreds of additional workers laying track as construction accelerates.<\/p>\n
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