Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation

Why Imperial Valley, CA?

Imperial County is one of California's primary centers for clean technology, renewable energy, agribusiness, and international trade and logistics with abundant, affordable land; a readily accessible workforce; and year-round access to water, sun, and wind. Today, Imperial County sees economic growth through foreign investment, retail, industry, and a boom of renewable energy products (Imperial County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, 2016).

Imperial County's economy is based on agriculture, cross-border family and trade relationships with Mexico, while also offering abundant and diverse renewable energy resources. In 2015, Imperial County ranked #11 out of 58 California Counties with a gross value of agricultural production at $1,925,134,000 (Imperial County Crop and Livestock Report, 2016).

The valley is home to the Calexico East Port of Entry, one of the two main California-Mexico freight gateways, serving nearly all of the international truck traffic crossings in Imperial County with a total trade value of over $12 billion dollars in 2012 (California Department of Transportation, 2014).

By 2050 almost 17 million tons of goods per year are projected to be handled at Imperial County border crossings, with an estimated value of $143 billion (average annual growth of 5.4 percent) (California Department of Transportation, 2014). The county's proximity to the city of Mexicali, which serves as an education hub, provides an economic advantage.

With Mexicali's population of an estimated 1 million, Imperial Valley's daily population increases exponentially due to the close proximity to the two international ports of entry located in the Mexicali-Calexico border-city region. An estimated 14,000,000 crossings occur yearly between the two countries.

Growth in the production of high-quality manufacturing products in the Imperial Valley region is expected to be strong in the future (Goods Movement Border Crossing Study, 2016).

Industry clusters:

Renewable energy
Aerospace
Agribusiness
Real Estate
Construction
Biotechnology
Data Centers
Manufacturing
International Trade & Logistics

Top & Targeted Industries

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing And Hunting

The Imperial Valley is largely flat terrain with mountains toward the west. Its central portion has been irrigated with water from the Colorado River since nearly the turn of the century. Historically, Imperial Valley has been one of California’s leading agricultural areas. Today, the economy is driven by logistics firms, warehousing, retail trade and light manufacturing. The valley encompasses nearly 500,000 acres of some of the world's most productive farmland and possesses the largest single water right on the Colorado River. Abundant agricultural resources and a year-round growing season make it an area prime for biofuel production.
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing And Hunting

According to the 2017 Imperial County Crop and Livestock Report, cattle has consistently been the #1 commodity trend for the Imperial County since 1957. The gross value for cattle in 2017 for the Imperial County was $387,170,000. The County has three areas of production: Imperial Valley (472,593 acres), Palo Verde (7,668 acres) and Bard/Winterhaven (14,452 acres), for a total of 494,713 farmable acres.

Our Region

Imperial County is rich in natural beauty, local history, and culture. The unique culture blends two different countries, the United States with Mexico due to its geographic location along the international border. This blend, along with a small town atmosphere and an agricultural based economy, provides a strong work ethic.

The Imperial County shares a unique multicultural experience with its close proximity to the international border. Imperial Valley's southernmost city Calexico offers a quick walk or drive to one of the international ports of entry to Mexicali, Capital of the Mexican state Baja California.

The Calexico West Port of Entry is the third busiest land port in California with 4 million northbound vehicles and 4.5 million pedestrians crossing each year. Across the Imperial/Mexicali POEs, there are approximately 80,000 people that cross into the U.S. daily for work, school, shopping, entertainment and other socially related trips (ICCEDS, 2016).

The Imperial Valley is home to many festivals year round some examples include: The California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, The Mariachi Festival, and The Cattle Call Rodeo.

The desert sand dunes of the Imperial Valley are also a big attraction for off-road enthusiasts and has been an attractive setting for films, commercials, and other media.

Recycled Markets Development Zone (Cal EPA program). The goal of this program is to increase diversion of non-hazardous solid waste away from California landfills and to promote market demand for secondary and postconsumer materials. Program benefits include:

Business loans
Creative partnerships
Free advertising
Permitting assistance

Programs and Incentives

Foreign Trade Zone #257.

Cali Baja Bi-national Mega-Region.

Employment Training Panel

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

New Markets Tax Credits

2017 Imperial Valley Economic Development Summit

2017 Blue Angels NAF El Centro Airshow

Did You Know?

The Imperial Valley is home to the Salton Sea, where a lot of boating, hiking, and fishing take place.
The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration squadron, perform at the annual Naval Air Facility (NAF) Airshow in El Centro, CA. The team has been training and performing there for 50 years.
Many films, commercials, music videos and TV programs have been filmed here. Feature films include hits like The Scorpion King and Return of the Jedi (http://www.filmimperialcounty.com/credits/).

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