Imperial County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Imperial County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lithium Valley funding and expenditures
Eric Reyes said outreach groups are struggling to educate the public about Lithium Valley and asked the county for help and for movement on a community benefits agreement.
450 W. Aten Road warehouse lease
The only qualifying bid to lease the county's 65,000-square-foot warehouse was $1,000 a month — about 1.5 cents per square foot. Supervisors rejected it as far below market and will re-solicit bids.
WIOA youth workforce program funding
The county renewed its $1.59 million Project Connect youth jobs agreement with IVROP, serving roughly 220 young people with paid work experience, career training and financial literacy — all federally funded.
U.S. Gypsum Plaster City expansion
A nearly century-old plant employing about 290 people has waited 20+ years for a state streambed permit. The Board sent a support letter to push the state to finish.
Barbara Worth Country Club sale and revitalization
Supervisor Hawk reported the country club has new ownership under Ray Robin, who plans to restore the 18-hole course, restaurant, and hotel — easing resident fears of low-income housing conversion or course closure.
LVN nursing mentorship program continuation
The county will seek contractors to keep running its LVN mentorship program, which has helped nearly 200 nursing students finish school with paid testing and support — a pipeline for healthcare jobs in a county that needs them.
Essential Air Service carrier selection for Imperial County Airport
Boutique Air made its final pitch to take over the county's subsidized air service, offering LAX, San Diego, or LAX-plus-Vegas options with $39 fares and a promised local maintenance base. The Board hasn't picked a carrier yet.
Gateway of Americas economic development
Developers showed off the industrial park near Calexico East Port — 100 companies, 2,500 jobs, $4.5M a year in property taxes — and asked the county for a fire station and a fix for truck gridlock at the border. A board tour is set for February 2.