Supervisors are asking the US Department of Defense for a $778,000 grant to fund an economic development plan for eastern Kern County.

Chief Human Resources Officer Devin Brown told the Board Tuesday the money will pay for so-called “MakerSpaces” in six libraries: Boron, Mojave, Rosamond, California City, Ridgecrest and Tehachapi. Those MakerSpaces would be computer labs where residents could learn new skills or finish their education online.

Unemployment in some eastern Kern County cities tops 20%.

Kelli Pierce