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This October issue marks one year of the Imperial Impact: Interagency & Partnership Highlights Newsletter and two years of the Imperial Valley Civic Ecosystem Initiative. Our goal within this initiative is to support capacity building, civic engagement, and the work of the tireless community and government leaders of Imperial Valley. We hope this newsletter helps bring awareness of the ongoing work and investment across California state agencies and community partners on the ground to help build new and stronger partnerships.  

This month we hosted the Inland Deserts Regional Catalyst Convening on Oct. 6 in Palm Springs in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. The convening brought together leaders from the Inland Desert, including the Imperial Valley region, to identify regional and state level policy actions needed to address regional priorities. The convening also featured presentations on projects that could serve as models for the rest of the region; two of these case studies included BOOST Imperial Valley and Activate Imperial.  

Michelle Flores from Imperial Valley Equity & Justice and Eduardo Garcia from the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) showcased their community visioning work that creates a strategic roadmap for continued investment in Imperial Valley that prioritizes true community needs. Melissa Kuehne from the Institute for Local Government (ILG) and Thomas Garcia from the City of Imperial demonstrated how investment in capacity at the local government level can result in better coordination between cities and communities to turn community priorities into action and scalable infrastructure. Showcasing these complimentary initiatives serves as a model for regions to align priorities and invest in the internal capacity of both community-based organizations and local governments.  

Sincerely,  

Hoi-Fei Mok, Deputy Director of Equity and Government Transformation

Activate Imperial has completed its Community Visioning Project and hosted the public launch of the Community Vision! The planning process for the initiative has established six priority investment pillars, which LCF will use as guidance for Activate Imperial. These include Financial Stability; Public Health & Safety; Infrastructure; Lifelong Learning; Environmental Sustainability; and Arts & Culture. As partnerships are integrated into Activate Imperial, we will see the initiative prioritize reinvesting into the community, continue to build capacity for local nonprofits, center economic development on community priorities, build leadership development opportunities, and establish public-private partnership tables. 



You can view the Community Visioning Project Roadmap online.

Imperial’s Environmental Justice Element Moves Forward 



The City of Imperial is developing its first Environmental Justice Element as part of its General Plan and in alignment with California’s Senate Bill 1000 requirements. With support from the Institute for Local Government’s BOOST technical assistance team, the city is combining technical research with community input gathered through bilingual surveys, public workshops, tabling events, and Environmental Justice Advisory Committee meetings. The draft focuses on reducing pollution exposure and health risks; improving infrastructure and public facilities; expanding access to parks, healthy food, and transit; supporting safe and sanitary housing; and strengthening community participation in local decision-making. 

Community feedback has helped refine the element’s goals and policies, including strategies for healthier living conditions and greater resilience to environmental challenges. Following public review, the final draft is expected to move to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration. 

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Southwest Border Regional Commission awarded $3 million through an Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program to support five grantees in implementing infrastructure and workforce development projects to drive economic impact in Imperial County. These investments are designed to deliver long-term economic impact in economically distressed communities, aligning with California Jobs First priorities.

The region's grantees are:  

• City of Brawley: Water & Sewer Infrastructure Project 
• Imperial County Workforce and Economic Development Department: Innovation X Program 
• City of Calexico: Clarifier Project 
• San Diego State University Research Foundation: Lithium Valley Education 
• Imperial Irrigation District – CONNECT Program 

Salton Sea Program Update Delivered at the 2026 State Water Board Workshop 

On May 20, at the State Water Board’s annual Salton Sea Workshop, the California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) Salton Sea Program (SSP) team provided an update on its efforts to bring plants, water, and wildlife back to the Salton Sea through its implementation of approximately 47 square miles of projects and efforts to advance long-term planning and federal investment through the Salton Sea Feasibility Study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The panel presentations also shared updates on the recently established Salton Sea Conservancy, which held its first meeting in May. 

Salton Sea Program Shares Updates at Local City Council Meetings 

SSP is participating in city council meetings across the region to share the latest progress on restoration work at the Salton Sea. These brief updates give residents a chance to learn how the state is helping protect air quality, creating habitat, and advancing important community priorities for the Salton Sea. 

CNRA encourages community members to attend these city council meetings to hear directly from the SSP team, ask questions, and stay informed about ongoing work to restore the sea. Check the SSP website for presentation dates and subscribe to the SSP eNewsletter. 

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Imperial County Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) continually strives to build strong relationships, earn trust, and strengthen collaboration between local government, businesses, and the community.  

Last fiscal year, it jumped in to help with over 300 public inquiries. Whether explaining cleanup requirements, investigating complaints, or educating facilities and community members on regulatory requirements, bilingual staff is there to guide and support.  

DTSC is also dedicated to volunteering in the community because its staff are members of the community too! 

Visit the webpage: dtsc.ca.gov/imperial-county-cupa