Neglected Funding and Bureaucratic Inertia: How Boron’s $20,000 Sewer Fee Blocks Guaranteed Income and Economic Growth
In 2014, Boron, California, a historic mining town, was promised change. With a clear vision for revitalization, Boron stood ready for new growth and real opportunity. The Boron Revitalization Vision Plan promised infrastructure upgrades, economic development, and an improved quality of life for everyone who calls Boron home. Yet, over a decade later, Boron remains abandoned in neglect, its potential unrealized, and its community underserved. The town is still struggling, its potential left untapped, and fighting for survival.
This investigative report uncovers the failures of local leadership, the missed opportunities for funding, and the human cost of inaction, particularly how a $20,000 sewer connection fee has become the single biggest obstacle to revitalization and economic mobility.
Despite the county’s inaction, the East Kern County Community Foundation (EKCCF) is stepping up to fight for Boron’s future. Their work is critical, and they need financial support to continue advocating, applying for grants, and pushing for real change.
To support EKCCF’s efforts, donate at ekccf.org.
The 2014 Boron Revitalization Vision Plan: A Plan Means Nothing Without Action
The Boron Vision Plan, developed in 2014, outlined strategic initiatives to revitalize the town by addressing infrastructure, business growth, and essential services.
Key components of the plan included:
- Infrastructure Improvements: Upgrading water and sewer systems to ensure safe and reliable services.
- Economic Development: Supporting small businesses and attracting new enterprises to stimulate job growth.
- Community Services: Establishing medical facilities, enhancing public safety, and improving access to essential amenities.
This plan was fully developed and researched, yet it has never been implemented. It remains archived without action, as evidenced by its availability on the Kern County Planning website, with no updates, no follow-through, and no accountability from county officials.
The High Cost of Inaction: What Residents Are Up Against Right Now
The failure to follow through on the Boron Revitalization Vision Plan has had devastating consequences for the community:
- Exorbitant Sewer Connection Fees: Residents face $20,000 per household just to connect to the sewer system—a cost that could have been covered through available grants.
- Contaminated Water Supply: Infrastructure remains in disrepair, leading to ongoing water quality issues that threaten public health.
- Economic Decline: Small businesses are closing, jobs are disappearing, and poverty is rising—all while available funding for economic revitalization has gone unused.
- Lack of Essential Services: The town still lacks medical facilities, public safety resources, and even basic necessities like a full-service grocery store.
Despite multiple funding opportunities, Boron has been left to deteriorate while Kern County sits by complacent, failing to act.
The Bottleneck: A $20,000 Barrier to Economic Growth
The $20,000 sewer connection fee is more than a financial hurdle—it’s an economic deadlock preventing Boron’s revitalization.
For Guaranteed Income (GI) and Individual Development Account (IDA) programs to succeed, residents need the freedom to build their futures, whether that’s buying a home, starting businesses, or investing in their education. But before they can build wealth, they must first overcome an excessive infrastructure cost that drains financial resources before they even begin.
The Guaranteed Income (GI) Program: Stuck at the Starting Line
GI is meant to provide direct financial support so residents can plan for a better future. Yet, with sewer connection fees rivaling homeownership costs, families are forced to divert these funds toward mandatory infrastructure expenses rather than long-term economic mobility. Families aren’t building stability, they are just trying to keep up.
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): Dreams Put on Hold
IDAs are designed to help low-income residents save for major financial milestones. But in Boron, the cost of sewer connections alone surpasses typical down payments and closing costs, making homeownership financially out of reach for many first-time buyers.
This directly undermines the revitalization plan and economic development efforts led by EKCCF before they even have a chance to take root.
Without addressing this issue, Boron’s economic mobility and community development initiatives will be put on hold again.
EKCCF is fighting to remove this barrier, but they need community support to push for real solutions. Help break the cycle of economic stagnation. Solutions are on the table. The funding exists. Support EKCCF at ekccf.org.
The Missed Millions: Grants That Could Have Solved This—But Were Never Pursued
Despite having multiple opportunities to secure funding for critical infrastructure upgrades, the Boron Community Services District (BCSD) has refused to take actions, and Kern County has done nothing to step in and help.
Available Grants That Could Have Eliminated the Sewer Fee:
- USDA Individual Water & Wastewater Grants
- Provides up to $5,000 per household to cover sewer connection costs.
- Could have significantly reduced the financial burden on residents.
- Status: BCSD refused to inform residents
- California State Water Resources Control Board Funding
- Offers funding for water and wastewater infrastructure in disadvantaged communities.
- Used by other rural towns to eliminate high sewer connection fees.
- Status: BCSD ignored it.
- Community Facilities Loan & Grant Program (USDA)
- Provides funding for sewer systems, public safety, and essential infrastructure.
- Could have fully covered the cost of sewer hookups for new homeowners.
- Status: BCSD never applied.
- Economic Development & Business Grants
- Available state and federal grants exist to support infrastructure needed for economic revitalization.
- None have been pursued by BCSD or Kern County.
The Fight for Action: The East Kern County Community Foundation (EKCCF)
Where local government has failed, EKCCF has stepped up.
- EKCCF is leading the fight to secure the infrastructure funding Boron needs to finally break down the barriers hold back economic growth.
- They are working hard to ensure Boron’s revitalization plan gets the attention and action it deserves.
- But without real support from BCSD and Kern County, even EKCCF’s progress is at risk of coming to a standstill.
EKCCF is not waiting for government leaders to act—they are actively working to solve this crisis.
Donations to EKCCF help fund advocacy, grant writing, and direct action to secure funding for Boron’s future. Contribute at ekccf.org.
It’s Time to Demand Accountability
This is bigger than just fixing infrastructure. This is about whether Boron gets to have a future. The time to act is right now!
Here’s what must happen immediately:
- BCSD must apply for available state and federal grants to eliminate the $20,000 sewer connection fee.
- Kern County must step in if BCSD refuses to act, making sure Boron finally gets the infrastructure funding it needs.
- Residents and supporters must raise their voices and put real pressure on county officials and BCSD leadership to stop the delays and start delivering results.
But let’s be clear. Local advocacy alone won’t be enough. To fight for Boron’s future, EKCCF needs financial backing. EKCCF needs your support.
Donate today at ekccf.org and be part of the solution.
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Boron has been overlooked for far too long.
Boron deserves better. It’s time to stand up, speak out, and fight for the future.
