Nov. 22--The economy in general is weak and Bakersfield, in particular, has been struggling with a flurry of business closures and nearly 10 percent unemployment.

But there is light in even the darkest places, and a few sectors here are thriving.

The oil industry remains strong even with gas prices down nearly half from last summer. Oil and gas extraction and well drilling jobs are up 10.1 percent in Kern County since last year, according to the California Employment Development Department.

Farm jobs are up 5.5 percent from last year, so agriculture, too, seems to be withstanding the economic downturn despite pressure from an ongoing drought.

"Citrus and nuts are long-term crops, unlike a crop that you plant year to year that requires a lot more water," said Matthew Park, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau. "So a lot of our farmers, especially citrus, are hiring because they're gearing up for harvest, and we'll be pruning grapes in a few months."

Oil and agriculture have always been the backbone of the county's economy, and to some extent are recession-proof. No matter how bad things get, people always have to eat and drive, said Richard Chapman, president and chief executive of the Kern Economic Development Corp.

"Some say we're the worst place to live during a recession, but we have the best economy for times like these," Chapman said.

At the same time, the region is trying to diversify its job base, and the region has enjoyed growth in industrial warehouse and distribution centers.

Swedish furniture maker IKEA and Oneida, an international flatware company, have distribution centers in the 2.5 million square feet of warehouse facilities at Tejon Industrial Complex, part of Tejon Ranch.

Brown Shoe Co., parent company of the Famous Footwear retail chain, will join them next year. Brown Shoe is building a 350,000-square foot distribution center expected to create 120 full-time jobs initially and possibly more later because the site has room for expansion.

Plus, Shafter landed the Target Distribution Center a little more than five years ago. It has 650 employees.

There has been a conscious effort by local leadership to grow the distribution sector, which makes sense, said Barry Hibbard, vice president of commercial and industrial development for Tejon Ranch.

"Previously, most of our job growth has been in construction, services and government, which is a really unsustainable model," Hibbard said.

The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring as it prepares for the 2010 Census, but a lot of other government jobs have vanished. The city earlier this month announced a hiring freeze, and all levels of government are facing budget cuts.

Construction has largely halted amid the foreclosure crisis and credit crunch, and the service industry has fallen victim to decreased spending in the economic downturn.

But distribution in and around Bakersfield is positioned to weather a recession, Hibbard said.

"We have lots of affordable land to build on, low turnover in our labor force which translates to big savings for companies that locate here, and the skill set they need fits our community well," he said.

Paradoxically, the weak economy may actually help the region's recruitment efforts, Hibbard added.

"In good times, the inefficiencies within these huge, global companies get masked," he said. "But when things get tight, the cost of paying high rent for two or three facilities stands out more, and that's when we can come in and suggest they consolidate here."

If all else fails, there's always temporary holiday season work, such as it is.

"Retailers have drastically cut back seasonal employment in anticipation of slow sales," said Gabby Fulmer, manager of the Bakersfield branch of employment services company Manpower Inc.

But hiring hasn't dried up completely.

Gottschalks, JCPenney, Macy's, Old Navy and Sears are just a few of the retailers staffing up for Christmas and Hanukkah.

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