Economic Development Division focuses on fostering private and public sector investment within the City’s economic development target areas and throughout the community as a whole. The Economic Development division is responsible for business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts.  In addition, marketing and promotion as well as increasing the City's workforce and senior housing stock. As always improving the quality of life via an array of services intended to support these goals is crucial. 

Barstow is nestled alongside the Calico Mountains and Mojave River, rich in history and posed to be at the center of regional economic growth.  Located at the crossroads of two major interstates, midway between Los Angeles, CA and Las Vegas, NV, Barstow serves as a major transportation center for the Inland Empire.

Major highways including Interstates 15, 40 and CA Highways 58 and 247 converge in the City serving more than 60 million travelers and 19 million vehicles visiting each year.  Barstow is home to the Marine Corps Logistics Base and is in proximity to the Fort Irwin Military Reservation.

Barstow is proud to be the site of the planned 4,500+ acre Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Rail Facilities known as the Barstow International Gateway. 

Learn More at the BNSF Railway Website

Business and Incentives in Barstow

Barstow stands ready to assist developers with its ideal location, business-friendly government, one-stop permitting center, large vacant parcels of land, low cost of doing business, and an intelligent and energetic talent pool. With readily available workforce recruitment and training subsidies, your business will thrive in Barstow, the Hub of the West.

Incentives FAQ's and Resource Guide [PDF]

Location and Area Maps
Barstow is nestled against the Calico Mountains and the Mojave River in Southern California’s picturesque San Bernardino County and serves as a transportation gateway for points west to east.

Transportation Detail
19 million vehicles per year travel through Barstow. Thriving retail and restaurants play host to 60 million travelers per year. 

Community and Quality of Life
Barstow has a hometown family-friendly atmosphere, affordable housing, award-winning schools, clean air, scenic views, outdoor recreation, and a pro-active police department.

Education in Barstow
Barstow is home to several private schools and 14 public schools, many of which have been honored as California Distinguished and Gold Ribbon Schools for outstanding public schools that demonstrate exemplary achievements in implementing state standards in priority areas.

Workforce in Barstow
The innovative programs at the City’s highly-acclaimed Barstow STEM Academy, a California Gold Ribbon School, the Career and Technical Education and Trade Schools at the award-winning Barstow Community College, offer a new generation of trained and skilled workers.

Industrial Property in Barstow
Barstow offers sizable amounts of quality and freeway visible land open for new development.

Retail Opportunities
Barstow has roughly 245,250 sf of retail space available, is home to the Outlets at Barstow providing shopping usually only found in metropolitan areas, has an ultramodern 82,500 sf new Community Hospital, is the site of a proposed Casino & Resort, and has several new
residential developments in the planning process.

Things To Do in Barstow and Tourism Map
With 281 days of sunshine each year and a family-friendly environment, Barstow residents and visitors enjoy many outdoor recreation activities including biking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, off-roading, sports, and much more. The Outlets at Barstow offer world-class shopping with fantastic savings at 38 fine retailers. Visitors can get their kicks on the famous Route 66, which locals know as Main Street, and explore five museums to learn about the history of the City, including the Western America Railroad Museum and the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located at the historic Harvey House.