September 8, 2026
The Honorable Steve Kawa
Board Chair
California High Speed Rail Authority
Brett TaylorMayorLiz WynnVice MayorSteven A. NelsenCouncilmemberEmmanuel Hernandez Soto CouncilmemberBrian PoochigianCouncilmemberBrett TaylorMayorLiz WynnVice MayorSteven A. NelsenCouncilmemberEmmanuel Hernandez Soto CouncilmemberBrian PoochigianCouncilmember770 L Street, Suite 620 Brett Taylor
Mayor
Liz Wynn
Vice Mayor
Steven A. Nelsen
Councilmember
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Councilmember
Brian Poochigian
Councilmember
Brett Taylor
Mayor
Liz Wynn
Vice Mayor
Steven A. Nelsen
Councilmember
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Councilmember
Brian Poochigian
Councilmember
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Letter of Support for Hanford, Kings County – High-Speed Rail Maintenance Facility Site Selection Dear Chair Kawa,
On behalf of the City of Visalia, I am writing to express strong support for the selection of the Hanford, Kings County site for the High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility. As the region continues to demonstrate its commitment to statewide mobility, economic growth, and sustainable infrastructure, Hanford stands out as an exceptional and strategic choice for this critical investment.
Hanford and the broader Kings-Tulare Counties region offer a uniquely advantageous combination of geographic centrality, multimodal transportation access, available land, and an available and ready workforce. The proposed site lies at the heart of California’s high speed rail alignment, providing efficient operational support and minimizing systemwide deadhead costs. Its connectivity to major highways, freight corridors, and regional transit offers seamless integration, which is essential for maintenance operations and long-term system resiliency. To further improve regional transit connectivity, the City of Visalia is a critical partner in the development of the Cross Valley Corridor express bus service project between Kings and Tulare Counties, connecting the communities along the historic Southern Pacific Railroad, including the nearby Kings-Tulare Region High-Speed Rail Station when operational.
Equally important, Kings County has a demonstrated history of collaboration with State agencies, regional partners, and private-sector stakeholders. Local leadership is aligned, supportive, and eager to work proactively to ensure the facility’s rapid, successful, and cost- effective development. The region’s workforce spanning skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and engineering is well positioned to meet the demands of facility construction and long-term operations while benefiting from the high-quality jobs such a project will generate. The development of the Cross Valley Corridor express bus service project is an example of the history and spirit of regional collaboration and partnership.
Beyond operational suitability, locating the maintenance facility in Hanford would provide meaningful economic uplift to the community and the broader Central Valley as a whole, reinforcing the State of California’s commitment to equitable investment. The project would catalyze new development, strengthen local supply chains, and advance workforce training initiatives that support both current and future mobility needs.
For these reasons, the City of Visalia strongly encourages consideration of the Hanford, Kings County site for the High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility. Thank you for your attention and careful consideration in this important selection.
Sincerely,
Brett Taylor, Mayor
City of Visalia
P 559.713.4355 W visalia.govP 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292 P 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov
P 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov
220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292
220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292
City Council