In fall of 2024 the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) collaborated with the Governor’s Office, California Energy Commission, Institute for Local Government (ILG), Latino Community Foundation, community-based organizations, and philanthropic partners for an in-person convening in the Imperial Valley. The convening was the unofficial launch of the Imperial Valley Civic Ecosystem Initiative, a program designed to help Imperial Valley communities access federal, state, and public investments to meet their infrastructure needs and community development. The goal in bringing state, philanthropic, and community leaders together in-person, in the Valley, was to put boots on the ground in this southeastern corner of California to listen to local community leaders about the challenges and needs the region faces, establish strong connections to foster long-term commitment for the region, and take action to build strategic investments and capacity building. “Fostering a civic ecosystem,” is what we called it.
About Imperial Valley
The Imperial Valley region is a rural agricultural area encompassing seven cities (Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland) which for decades have gone through boom-bust economic cycles and broken promises. Due to this, the area has experienced environmental, economic, and health disparities – all severely impacting the Valley’s ability to effectively access and implement funding for much-needed infrastructure development and improvements. A city manager panel during the convening highlighted how their cities lacked essential facilities such as fire stations and even struggled to get city staff levels up to capacity.
The Imperial Valley is known for having one of the most diverse populations in the state, but it is difficult for talent retention when there are few amenities to offer nearby. Nothing made that clearer than a neighborhood tour in the unincorporated town of Niland and hearing directly from organizers and residents about the lack of basic services such as a post office and seeing buildings that haven’t been repaired after natural disasters. The sheer discomfort of standing outside in 107-degree heat on the tour made for a whole-body experience for participants and emphasized the urgency and effects climate change are having on Valley communities.
At the same time, the Valley contains some of the largest lithium deposits in the world, underground, near the Salton Sea – a region also known as Lithium Valley. This has posed a timely opportunity for these communities to benefit from the potential revenue of the lithium industry development, but readiness for incoming investment and development is proving a barrier for the local governments and community-based organizations.
The Civic Ecosystem
This context is the motivation behind the creation of the civic ecosystem, an initiative focused on capacity building as a foundational component to ready Valley communities to collaborate with each other and be competitive for implementation funding down the line.
This initiative was designed to move away from the business-as-usual approach where community voices are left out, and instead catalyze equitable, community-driven decision making and planning that brings placed-based solutions to Valley community needs.
To that end, the initiative is structured around three different program pillars:
- The BOOST Program: A capacity building and technical assistance program for local governments led by ILG and SGC that brings staff training, grant writing, and partnership building.
- Activate Imperial: A capacity building program for community-based organizations (CBO) led by the Latino Community Foundation that brings targeted technical assistance and training to CBO leaders.
- Leadership Development for Imperial Valley civic leaders: Through ILG and Stanford University this training will equip Valley civic leadership with knowledge and skills for more effective and inclusive decision making and advocacy for the community.
These three programs will help skill up each sector and guide the partnership development and collaboration between local governments and community leaders, making sure that decisions can be made with everyone at the table. This structure can lay the foundation necessary to equitably approach growth and transformation in the Imperial Valley region for climate resilience.
What’s Next
The convening was an important introduction to these issues and offered first-hand experience of the kinds of needs that communities in Imperial Valley face. Community leaders reflected that this is the first time in years that they have felt heard.
We know that this will be an ongoing commitment to show up, listen, and take action. As BOOST, Activate, and the Stanford leadership programs get going, there will be more opportunities to uplift the stories and voices of the communities, and share the lessons learned. We can’t wait to get started.
About the California Strategic Growth Council
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is a 10-member council comprised of seven state agencies and three public members with the mission to build healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all. Funded through California’s Cap and Trade system and the California General Fund, SGC’s grant programs, strategic initiatives, and interagency coordination focus on multi-benefit and community-centric solutions at the nexus of climate and equity. Since 2008, SGC has invested more than $3.5 billion in projects strengthening communities and addressing climate change across California.
About the Institute for Local Government
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that supports local governments with tackling their most pressing and evolving issues related to workforce development, leadership, ethics, public engagement, and climate action. Since 1955, ILG has provided conscious counsel, trainings, resources, and technical assistance to empower and educate local agency leaders and deliver real-world expertise to help them navigate complex issues, increase their capacity, and build trust in their communities. As the nonprofit affiliate of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Special Districts Association, ILG proudly serves municipalities large and small, urban, and rural throughout California. Visit www.ca-ilg.org to find out more.
Latino Community Foundation
(LCF) was founded in 1989 as an affinity group of United Way of the Bay Area to increase workplace donations to Latino organizations. In 2016, LCF became an independent statewide foundation on a mission to unleash the power of Latinos in California. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of corporate, political and grassroots power, LCF creates, and nurtures relationships designed to accelerate impact in unprecedented ways. To date, LCF has created the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the country, invested over $25 million into more than 375 grassroots, predominately Latino-led nonprofits across the state, and launched one of the largest campaigns to mobilize the Latino vote in California. LCF hosts the Latino Nonprofit Accelerator, a groundbreaking capacity building initiative that gives grassroots nonprofits access to world class branding and fundraising support. This initiative has already helped 18 organizations level up their communications, double their fundraising confidence, and leverage $7 million in new funding.
California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future for all. As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the Energy Commission is committed to reducing energy costs and environmental impacts of energy use while ensuring a safe, resilient, and reliable supply of energy.
Governor’s Office
The Governor’s Office leads the executive branch, which is responsible for implementing state laws and the operations of state agencies. The office provides leadership on key policy issues, working closely with the Legislature and other state officials.