About Us
The Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council
The Purpose of the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council is to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Tehachapi Area by attracting, retaining and supporting business.
The GTEDC is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting existing and future businesses throughout the Greater Tehachapi Area.
We pride ourselves on developing strong, professional partnerships with private and public organizations to support a diverse, progressive economic climate that benefits local businesses, their employment base, and our beautiful valley.
Great communities don’t just happen. Great communities are the result of visionary thinking, determined effort, an optimistic outlook and the spirit of cooperation.
Board Members
The Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council has an appointed board of directors with vacancies regularly filled by nomination and council vote.
The board utilizes a president and president-elect structure with positions for treasurer, and secretary.
Commissions
In an effort to focus on targeted growth sectors and revenue-generation for local business, the GTEDC sponsors three seperate commissions.
Tehachapi Tourism Commission: Tasked with promoting the tourism industry in Tehachapi with special events marketing, regional outreach, technology and operation of the Tehachapi Visitor Center at Freedom Plaza downtown.
Tehachapi Wine Grower's Commission: Consisting of winery and vineyard owners in the Tehachapi area, this commission focuses on collaborative efforts to further promote the expanding wine industry in the Tehachapi area. The commission is currently working through the federal process of obtaining an American Viticultural Area distinction which would allow local wine labels to read "Tehachapi Mountains" further cementing this award-winning region into the wine culture.
Tehachapi Arts Commission: This newly-formed commission promotes bringing representational fine art and art collectors to Tehachapi. Planning is currently underway for the inaugural "Art 2020" event which will invite nationally known artists and locals to paint “en plein air” throughout Tehachapi from May 16 to 22, 2020. The artists will be encouraged to paint throughout the community from the hills to the vineyards to our picturesque downtown. The event will culminate once works are completed July 10-12 at the Aspen Builder's Activity Center in Tehachapi where the artwork will be for sale for locals and collectors. Additionally, the arts commission assists in acquiring artwork for the Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley hospital and recently donated an angel sculpture designed by Tehachapi's Dwight Dreyer for the lobby area.
