County of Imperial

SDSU IV is grateful to Imperial Valley Board of Supervisors for their support of a $25,000 scholarship endowment. Special thanks to Supervisor Mike Kelley for leading this commitment to students in the Imperial Valley. Thank you!

I’m proud to have joined the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District for the Mexicali-Imperial Air Quality Task Force’s Ambientalizate?binational forum. This event brought together officials from both sides of the border to address critical issues like air quality, climate change, and extreme heat. These conversations are crucial as we work toward sustainable solutions that benefit our shared environment and the health of our communities.

Why do we celebrate geothermal energy today and every day? ?? Geothermal energy is: - Reliable and available 24/7, 365 days a year - Not dependent on the weather - An engine for economic and job growth - Carbon-free, renewable and sustainable! Visit our friends at Geothermal Rising to learn more about how geothermal works and the benefits of this sustainable energy source: www.geothermal.org #WorldGeothermalEnergyDay #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability

It’s a good day to be fire chief when opening a new fire station. Congratulations to the Seeley community for a new fire station and cooling center to serve their community. The event was well attended by county staff and our emergency response partners at El Centro Fire, Naval Air Facility El Centro Federal Fire, CDCR Centinela Fire, Calexico Fire, and CalOES. This project has come to fruition because of collaboration by state and County of Imperial of Imperial agencies. Thank you to all!

The County of Imperial was pleased to have our Deputy CEO of Natural Resources, Bari Bean, join today's groundbreaking for the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project expansion. The SCH Project is the first large-scale project of the Salton Sea Management Program's 10-year plan. It will create a network of ponds and wetlands that help to reduce dust emissions, and will provide important fish and bird habitat. Tremendous restoration has already taken place as part of the SCH Project and today marked the start of an additional project. We hope you enjoy a small glimpse of what the day entailed in our video! A special thank you to the state and federal leaders who have continuously supported this initiate and who attended the groundbreaking today: Torres Martinez Chairman THOMAS TORTEZ, Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, State Senator Steve Padilla, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, IID Director John Brooks Hamby #SaltonSea #conservation #ImperialCounty

The County of Imperial is thrilled to share that Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro has earned the prestigious 4-Star Designation from Expedia Group, making it the ONLY 4-Star Hotel in Imperial Valley and Yuma, AZ Areas! Supervisor Michael Kelley congratulated Paul Najar and GM Todd B. on this wonderful achievement at their opening event on October 10, 2024. A recent press release from Cambria shared the following: Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro is delighted to announce they have earned a 4-star designation, a significant achievement that not only makes it the only 4-star hotel in Imperial Valley but also the only 4-star hotel in the Yuma area. This recognition firmly establishes the #hotel as a premier #destination for luxury accommodations across both regions. Located in the heart of Imperial Valley, Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro has continually exceeded guest expectations by offering a blend of modern sophistication, upscale amenities, and exceptional service. The 4-star designation from Expedia is based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes guest reviews, service quality, and the overall guest experience. “We are thrilled to recognize Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro with this 4-star rating,” said Todd Bean, General Manager. “This achievement reflects the hotel’s commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and solidifies its status as the leading hotel for both Imperial Valley and the Yuma area.” A New Standard of Excellence for the Region The Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro opened September 18, 2024, and is the first Cambria-branded hotel in the Imperial Valley. The four-story, upscale hotel and its restaurant the 1905 Bar & Grill offer a distinct experience with breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7-days a week. Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro features spa-style bathrooms, contemporary and sophisticated guestrooms, a multi-function meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and locally inspired art. "Achieving this 4-star rating is a testament to our dedicated staff who go above and beyond to create exceptional guest experiences,” said Bob Rauch, Chairman of Brick Hospitality, the hotel’s management company. “We are deeply honored by this recognition from Expedia and look forward to continuing to raise the bar for luxury hospitality in both Imperial Valley and the Yuma area.” Elevating Local Tourism and Hospitality The Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro's 4-star status is expected to enhance the appeal of both Imperial Valley and the Yuma area as premier destinations for leisure and business travelers. With its unique combination of luxury, convenience, and local charm, the hotel provides visitors with an unmatched experience in the region. For more information on booking a stay at Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro or to explore the hotel’s offerings, visit Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro or search for Cambria Hotel Imperial-El Centro on Expedia.com. #Hospitality #ImperialCounty #travel Brick Hospitality

??[Region Insight] ???????????????? ????????????????????'?? ?????????????? ???????????? - Where Clean Energy Meets Innovation We were honored to have Ryan Kelley, Jesus Eduardo Escobar, and Bari Bean from County of Imperial as keynote speakers during #CLNB2024. Their presentation shed light on how Lithium Valley is setting itself apart in the new energy landscape by utilizing ???????????????????? ?????????? to extract lithium, a natural and environmentally harmonious method. ?? They highlighted how Imperial County is embracing clean energy while maintaining a balance with its rich agricultural heritage. With strategic development plans in place, they are fostering local talent through workforce pipelines that will ensure the community benefits from the new opportunities arising in the energy sector. Additionally, the region is moving forward with a ???????????????? ???????? and a ???????????????????????? ?????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? (????????) to streamline future projects and regulatory processes, making it a prime location for investment and project installations. ? Looking to be informed on the market trend or get an overview of regional landscape, follow us CLNB 2025 to stay ahead of the curve! #LithiumValley #CleanEnergy #GeothermalBrine #EnergyTransition #SustainableDevelopment #NewEnergy #WorkforceDevelopment #CLNB2024 #ImperialCounty #Lithium

We’re excited to share our newly adopted Imperial County Good Neighbor CBA Program, which is a vehicle for industry to outline their commitments to the Imperial County community. This (optional) Program is open to any existing or new company in the County. Especially unique about the Program is that it requires engagement of industry with at least 7 diverse #community categories!? ? The Good Neighbor CBA Program has six key pillars that the County of Imperial has established, which provide a framework for the commitments that industry, who opt into this Program, are making to our community. These pillars include Local & Priority Hiring, Workplace Safety & Quality Standards, Education & Skill-Building, Community Engagement, Advancing Infrastructure, and Supporting the Local Economy. The Good Neighbor CBA Program benefits both industry and community! Key community benefits of a #CBA include commitments to local job creation, enhanced workplace quality and safety, support for small businesses, improvements in infrastructure, and educational partnerships. For developers, CBAs have many benefits including attracting public-private partnerships and fostering community support. ? After a Press Conference on September 10, 2024, which reviewed the new Program, local industry and community partners weighed in on the Good Neighbor CBA stating: ? Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings, Inc. (CTR) is delighted the County of Imperial has adopted a Good Neighbor Community Benefits Agreement program,” said Rod Colwell, Chief Executive Officer of CTR. “We are excited to be one of the first companies to opt into this program, and I commend the Board of Supervisors and their team for developing a framework that is aligned with the Department of Energy’s best practices. The County of Imperial has spent years building comprehensive plans to ensure sustainable growth, good-paying jobs, and educational opportunities stay in Imperial County, and I can tell you, I haven’t seen any other county in the United States do this. Your representatives are setting new benchmarks here.” ? “The EnergySource Minerals (ESM) team is very excited about the Good Neighbor Benefits Agreement Program and the support it will lend to help advance the goals here we have in Imperial County. We are dedicated to a better future in Imperial County as we look forward to continuing to work and collaborate with the community to ensure we are listening and can continue to be a good industry partner and do our part to further Imperial Valley's goals” said Elizabeth Espinoza, Community Affairs Liaison of ESM. ? “It is inspiring that CTR, as a Good Neighbor, has reached out to multiple sectors, communities and groups in the Imperial Valley. Developing a community benefits agreement is an important step to making Imperial Valley a better place to live for all,” said Roque Barros, Executive Director of Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation. #GoodNeighborCBA #ImperialCounty #energy #community #collaboration

Imperial County proudly welcomed a diverse group of global leaders from countries such as Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Poland, and The People's Republic of China as part of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) administered by the U.S. Department of State. This program connects current and emerging leaders from around the world with their American counterparts to foster mutual understanding and establish professional networks. The opening remarks were delivered by Chairman Luis Plancarte from the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, Imperial County Executive Officer Miguel Figueroa, MPA, and Bari Bean, Deputy CEO - Natural Resources, who emphasized Imperial County’s strategic initiatives and commitment to fostering global collaboration. Supervisors Ryan Kelley and Jesus Eduardo Escobar enlightened the audience with presentations on Lithium Valley and the recovery of #lithium from #geothermal as well as the business development opportunities in Imperial County, aligning with global economic and environmental trends. Supervisor John Hawk gave an introduction to farming and agriculture in the region, setting the stage for further detailed presentations by Rachel Garewal, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner, and local farmer Ronnie Leimgruber, on the richness of Imperial Valley's agricultural sector. Sean Wilcock, from the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation highlighted our State and local incentives. The delegation participated in a series of informative tours, starting with a visit to Golden Eagle Press where Jon Berker provided insights into hay production and exports. This was followed by a visit from Mike Pacheco and Jessica Humes, with the Imperial Irrigation District, who provided a marsh conservation tour and demonstrated innovative water techniques that are utilized locally and crucial for sustainable management in Imperial County. A highlight of the regional Imperial Valley tour was a driving tour showcasing geothermal operations in Imperial County, where the group learned about the cutting-edge geothermal energy production and the upcoming efforts surrounding #LithiumValley, positioning #ImperialCounty at the forefront of green energy initiatives. The delegates were fascinated by Gina Dockstader’s tour of Doc's Organics, where she showcased the operations of their fully certified organic packing facility, emphasizing the county’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. The program concluded with a refreshing stop at the famous Westmorland Date Shake, symbolizing the sweet success of the event and the fruitful discussions that took place across the day. Imperial County continues to embrace opportunities for #international cooperation and technology #onshoring in our region and is honored to have hosted such an enriching program, contributing to global dialogue and understanding. #leadership #development

Thank you Sumitomo Electric for hosting the County of Imperial, Imperial Irrigation District, and CalEthos today to learn more about Redox Flow battery storage and how its unique technology is helping to support energy needs in the San Diego area. As we transition towards a net zero future, we’re excited to continue to explore innovative energy solutions that support the needs of Imperial County and our resident’s! #netzero #batterystorage #Energy #innovation Bari Smith Bean, Joel Stone, Alex Cardenas Michael Campbell