Mojave, CA – Monday, Nov 27. Construction on a Mojave’s largest municipal infrastructure project in years will begin in January of 2018, according to officials from Kern County. The project includes sidewalks along every street in downtown Mojave, to be joined by 50 solar-powered streetlights installed concurrently along those streets.
The project is the joint venture between Kern County and the Mojave Foundation, with Kern County being responsible for the sidewalk installation and long-term maintenance of the lights, and the Foundation raised $112,000 to purchase the lights from local residents and most businesses operating in Mojave and on the airport. “Our partnership with the Mojave Foundation continues a long track record of Kern County partnering with the private sector and non-profits to improve the safety, health, and quality of life of our residents,” said Zack Scrivner, Kern County Supervisor, Second District. “I applaud the efforts of all involved to bring this needed infrastructure project to completion.”
The Mojave Foundation believes this is the ideal public/private partnership, with local communities as stake-holders in their own municipal investments, and governments contributing to the long-term sustainability of projects. The largest donations for this project came from Terra-Gen Energy, Golden Queen Mine, Northrop Grumman, and the Mojave Marathon, and were made through the Foundation’s 501c3 nonprofit status. 100% of the funds raised over the past three years were directed exclusively to this project.
The lights are provided in partnership with Greenshine New Energy, in Lake Forest, California, who is contributing to support of Mojave’s community development. Greenshine provides municipal lighting to communities all over America, but has taken special interest in the unique aerospace community of Mojave.
The project comes on the heels of another investment by Kern County and local energy companies in the “K-street” project, which brought 20 solar power streetlights and crosswalks to two blocks along K-street.
These investments are designed to stem the rise in pedestrian traffic fatalities as well as stabilize the security situation in our community. Six pedestrians were killed by vehicles since 2013, and three consecutive years of budget cuts have left the Kern County Sheriff’s office with two-thirds fewer deputies in southeast Kern County. There are now about 15 deputies solely in Mojave to cover an area half the size of Connecticut, previously staffed by over 40 deputies in Mojave, Rosamond and Boron. The introduction of Marijuana dispensaries and cultivation has further strained our community, enabled by blighted housing, complicit property-owners, and an eager market. While we cannot fix these public safety problems through law enforcement alone, the least we can do is turn the lights on. Through investments in public infrastructure and targeted recruitment of new storefronts and developers to Mojave, we hope to displace the illicit activity with more sustainable businesses and housing.
About The Mojave Foundation:
The Mojave Foundation is a nonprofit 501c3 organization registered in the state of California dedicated to making Mojave a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business. We do this by raising funds through public and private donors to execute community projects quickly and efficiently. We live and work in Mojave, and are committed to making the community a net asset to the incredible aerospace companies who innovate, fly and test here. We are also committed to environmental and economic sustainability, and believe in lasting public-private partnerships where local stakeholders take responsibility for the future of our community, with critical support from local authorities.
August 4 – Maryland-based Elevation Corporate Health has reopened the gym at the Mojave Airport Event Center, under new leadership and name, Mojave Fitness Center. Mojave Fitness opened its doors in April, bringing new staff and new classes and fresh amenities to the facility. Mojave Fitness has regular classes, including Bootcamp, Zumba, and Yoga. There is now a full-sized basketball court available to members in the event center, and locker rooms include lockers, showers and benches. The main work-out area is 15,000 square feet, with modern equipment, weights, treadmills, and machines. The gyms is also open 24 hours/7 days a week, with staff and trainers available 6am – 7pm.
For more information call Shaun Woerner or Marisa Lopez at 
April 17, 2017. Mojave’s own Christion Seymour has been awarded the Award of Merit from Congressman Kevin McCarthy, our U.S. Representative from California’s 23rd District. The Merit Award was created to recognize outstanding high school students who have demonstrated exemplary school citizenship, volunteerism, community service, involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership skills and have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Earlier this year, high school principals were invited to select one outstanding graduating senior per school to receive the award, and Mr. Seymour was selected among a graduating class of 32. Mr. Seymour, 17, is an extremely talented individual, participating in an eclectic range of activities, from band, to the science club, to being a leader on his Champion football team – all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Mr. Seymour has lived in Mojave with his proud Mother Katherine since 2010. He has been an active member of his student body and our community, and will be attending William Jessup University in Rocklin, California, near Sacramento. Mr. Seymour plans to major is behavioral science and aspires to be a forensic psychologist for the FBI.
As the Majority Leader, Congressman McCarthy is the second-most senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and has represented the 23rd district since 2006, which includes parts of Kern and Inyo Counties. About the award, Rep. McCarthy previously said “This award is intended to honor the achievements of our communities’ best and brightest, recognizing their positive achievements and inspiring all of our students to work toward their goals,” said Congressman McCarthy. “By coming together and recognizing these students, I believe we help to create a positive community environment that supports the hard work of the next generation’s leaders.”
May 1, 2017. The Mojave Foundation is proud to announce that Panera Bread will be selling box lunches on the Airport every Wednesday starting May 10th from 11:00-1:00. Panera Bread will provide a choice of 5 box lunches out of building-1, at 16922 Airport Blvd, as well as drinks. This is a test case to prove out the concept, and if this works there is a possibility of a more frequent schedule and permanent establishment here in Mojave. The Mojave Foundation is committed to bringing more amenities to our community, and Panera Bread represents a growing number of national brands to express an interest in investing here. We welcome Panera Bread, and encourage all residents and employees to sample the lunches starting Wednesday the 10th.
Under the partnership, Kern County will fund the installation and long-term maintenance of the lights, and the Foundation will purchase the lights with funds raised by donors. “Our partnership with the Mojave Foundation continues a long track record of Kern County’s government partnering with the private sector and non-profits to improve the safety, health and quality of life of our residents,” said Zack Scrivner, Kern County Supervisor, Second District. “I applaud the efforts of all involved to bring this needed infrastructure project to completion.”
Nov 20: Kern County Roads announced in September that Mojave won a $0.9 million grant from California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to bring Sidewalks to Mojave. The grant, part of CalTrans’ “Safe Routes to School” program, will bring sidewalks to every street in downtown Mojave, and ensure children and pedestrians can walk safely and confidently throughout our community. Mojave tied with two other cities in California for the highest score among 617 applications competing for $180 million in state-wide transportation funding. Kern County will also contribute $350,000 to bring the total project to $1.2 million.
Sidewalks will extend from Sierra Highway to the Airport, and from highway 58 to the overpass on the north end of town. Sidewalks will also be installed along Barstow Road in Mojave Gardens. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2016.
The Mojave Foundation 