Category: News

Imperial County, CA – Imperial County recognizes the community interest surrounding today’s Planning Commission meeting and appreciates the participation of residents who took time to attend and share their perspectives. The County remains committed to maintaining a respectful and transparent public process. Today’s meeting addressed several items including Lot Merger #00191, an application submitted by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC. Discussion on that application reflected the passion many residents feel about land use decisions in the Imperial Valley.

Planning Commission Role and Voting Process
The Imperial County Planning Commission is composed of ten (10) commissioners, who are appointed by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. For any motion to pass, a minimum of six affirmative votes is required, regardless of how many commissioners are present at any given hearing.

Purpose of the Agenda Item “Lot Merger #00191”

Today’s hearing on Lot Merger #00191, concerned a lot merger only, not the approval of a data center project. The application outlined requests for approval to consolidate five individual parcels into a single approximately 75.39 acre site located at 2304 Clark Road, Imperial, California. No entitlement for construction or operation of a data center was considered or approved as part of this application.

Specific Actions Before the Planning Commission on Lot Merger #00191:

1. Find that Lot Merger #00191 is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Article 19, Section 15305, Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations, and that no further environmental documentation is required.
2. Find that Lot Merger #00191 is consistent with applicable zoning and building ordinances.
3. Approve Lot Merger #00191 subject to the attached conditions.

Motion’s Made on December 18, 20225, Regarding Lot Merger #00191

Commissioner Carson Kalin made a motion to approve the lot merger application, the votes on the motion were as follows:

• Yes: Schaffner, Kalin, Cabanas, Gallegos, Roben (5)
• No: Wright, Dunn (2)
• Absent: Hinojosa, Medina, Gutierrez (left prior to motion) (3)

Per County policy, although a majority of commissioners voted in favor, the motion failed because there were not six affirmative votes, which is required for approval of any item.

Following the first motion that failed, a separate motion was introduced by Commissioner Sergio Cabanas for the applicant to further discuss the project with the City of Imperial, City of El Centro, and the community before bringing the item back the Planning Commission for consideration. This motion passed, with the seven present commissioners voting affirmatively.

During the hearing, no motion was made to deny the lot merger application.

Appeal Status and Process

After the Planning Commission hearing, on December 18, 2025, the applicant filed an appeal with the County, pursuant to Imperial County Code, Title 9, Division 1; a copy of the appeal has been included with this press release. An appeal allows the next decision-making body to review the Planning Commission record, consider additional testimony as permitted by County procedures, and take action on the matter.

Next Steps and Board of Supervisors Meeting

As part of the appeal process, the matter will be scheduled for a public hearing before the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. The Board will review the appeal in accordance with County ordinances and applicable state law. Details regarding the date, time, and location of that meeting will be provided once the hearing is formally scheduled.

Imperial County remains committed to ensuring that land use decisions follow established procedures, comply with all legal requirements, and provide opportunities for meaningful public input. The County appreciates the engagement from residents in public processes and encourages community members to continue participating respectfully.

For additional information, residents may contact the Imperial County Planning and Development Services Department. ###

The County of Imperial Planning & Development Services Department is sharing an overview of lot mergers, a common land-use process that residents may see on public hearing agendas or in mailed notices.

What Is a Lot Merger?
A lot merger is a legal process that combines two or more adjacent (contiguous) parcels into one single parcel. After a lot merger is finalized and recorded, the previously separate lot lines are removed for legal and land-record purposes. A lot merger can help simplify property boundaries, resolve old parcel configurations, and ensure parcels meet current standards. It does not automatically approve new development. Any future construction or land use must still follow zoning, building, and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Two Ways a Lot Merger Can Occur in Imperial County, California
1) Lot Merger Requested by a Property Owner (application-based)
Imperial County’s Subdivision Ordinance (Title 9, Division 8, Chapter 8) establishes the County’s process for lot mergers initiated by the record property owner, including when a merger can be considered (for example: parcels must be contiguous and not separated/affected by certain easements or rights-of-way).

Key Steps Include:

• Completeness review: After submittal, the Department determines whether an application is complete within 30 days.
• Public hearing + decision: The Planning Director or the Planning Commission conducts a public hearing and approves or denies based on required findings (including conformance with state law/County ordinance, access, easements, and no creation of new lots)

2) Lot Merger Initiated by the County (notice-based, limited circumstances)
Imperial County also has procedures for County-initiated lot mergers (Title 9, Division 8, Chapter 9). These provisions describe when contiguous parcels under common ownership may be considered merged in specific circumstances, such as where a parcel does not meet minimum lot size or other listed conditions apply, and require notice to the property owner (including a Notice of Intention to Determine Status mailed by certified mail).

Can a Lot Merger Approve or Deny a Specific Project?
No. A lot merger is an administrative land record action only. It does not approve, deny, or signal support for any specific development project on the merged land. A lot merger simply determines how parcels are legally described and taxed. It does not:

• Grant other land-use entitlements
• Approve building permits
• Change zoning or allowable uses
• Establish density, intensity, or project design
• Predetermine environmental review outcomes
  

Any future development proposal on a merged parcel must still go through its own, separate review process, which depending on the zoning and the requested use may be either ministerial or discretionary. A ministerial action is a routine approval where staff confirm a project meets all existing rules and standards, with little or no judgment involved.

A discretionary action requires judgment and decision-making by the County, often includes public input, and may involve conditions of approval or environmental review.

Parcel Configuration Versus Development Entitlement
Because a lot merger does not evaluate land use, scale, impacts, or design, it cannot be used to infer how the County or any decision-making body might act on a future project. State law and County ordinances intentionally separate parcel configuration decisions from development entitlement decisions to ensure fairness, transparency, and due process. This structure ensures that:

• Property owners can correct or modernize parcel boundaries without implying development approval
• Decision-makers remain neutral during the entitlement process. At the time a complete project application is formally presented at a public hearing the decision-makers take in all information provided (verbal and physical) after which they will render a decision on the project.

In summary, a lot merger addresses how land is legally described, not how land will be developed.

Imperial County, CA – Imperial County is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos J. Lopez as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Economic Development within the Imperial County Executive Office. In this role, Lopez will lead and advance countywide economic development initiatives focused on business attraction, workforce development, job creation, and long-term economic growth.

Lopez brings more than 20 years of experience in workforce and economic development, with a proven track record of building strong partnerships with local businesses, regional agencies, and state and federal partners. Most recently, he served as Business Services Supervisor with the Imperial County Workforce & Economic Development Department, a position he has held since 2017.

During his tenure, Lopez led business engagement strategies supporting more than 150 local employers annually and collaborated with regional partners such as the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC), Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP), and local Chambers of Commerce. His efforts helped attract new employers to Imperial County and supported the creation of more than 150 new jobs through incentive programs and workforce training initiatives.

Lopez also played a key role in assisting more than 100 small businesses in securing relief funding during economic recovery efforts, helping retain jobs and stabilize the local economy. He has coordinated large-scale hiring events across multiple industries, overseen the day-to-day operations of the Business Development Center, and ensured compliance with state, local, and federal workforce programs, including WIOA.

Prior to his role as Business Services Supervisor, Lopez served as a Case Manager with the Imperial County Workforce Development Office from 2009 to 2017, where he managed complex workforce programs, prepared audit reports, and supported recruitment and training activities. Earlier in his career, he served as Admissions Manager for the San Diego Job Corps Center, overseeing outreach, enrollment, and federal program operations in the Imperial Valley.

“Carlos has been a trusted leader and a driving force behind many of our economic and workforce development successes,” said Dr. K, Chief Executive Officer for Imperial County. “His deep understanding of our local economy, strong relationships with the business community, and commitment to creating opportunities for Imperial County residents make him the ideal choice to serve as Deputy CEO of Economic Development. We are confident his leadership will continue to move our county forward.”

Lopez holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from San Diego State University and an Associate of Science in Psychology from Imperial Valley College. He is a graduate of Central Union High School and has dedicated his career to public service and economic advancement in Imperial County.

Lopez also acknowledged the unconditional support of his wife, Ingrid Lopez, along with the support of his family and children, who continue to be the driving force behind his work and commitment to public service.

As Deputy CEO of Economic Development, Lopez will work closely with county leadership, regional partners, and the business community to strengthen Imperial County’s economic competitiveness, support workforce innovation, and foster sustainable growth.

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Imperial County has released the RAND Corporation’s comprehensive research report on the region’s Lithium Opportunity, titled “Empowering Imperial County: A Comprehensive Workforce and Economic Development Strategy for Harnessing the Lithium Opportunity” (RR-A3836-1). The full report and its 10-year action plan are now available for public download, marking a significant step as the County moves into the implementation phase to maximize economic and workforce benefits from the emerging Lithium Valley.

The strategic assessment, which evaluates Imperial County’s capacity to develop a strong lithium supply chain, is available for download on the RAND website. Community members can also access the report by visiting the Imperial County main website.

The RAND report provides an invaluable roadmap for ensuring that the vision of Lithium Valley translates into tangible economic growth and opportunity for every resident of Imperial County. The County urges the community, and all partners in industry, education, and government, to review these findings, which clearly articulate the actions needed to close skill gaps, accelerate infrastructure, and ensure economic benefits for Imperial County residents.

Key Highlights from the RAND Report:

The study outlines a plan of action centered on five objectives, stressing that realizing the full potential of the lithium opportunity depends on early and decisive action. Key findings include:

• Job Creation: Lithium extraction is forecasted to generate approximately 700 permanent operations jobs and 1,000 construction jobs.
  
• Full Value Chain Potential: The report states a fully built battery value chain, encompassing material refining, cell assembly, and recycling, is possible, alongside ancillary industries like data centers.
  
• Recommendations for Success: The plan calls for encouraging local hiring, aligning education providers and industry, fostering a broader industrial base through an investment fund and streamlined services, and allocating lithium tax revenues to vital infrastructure and services.
  
• Action is Needed: Decisive action is needed to ensure the opportunity of Lithium Valley is reached. Co-locating synergistic industries within Lithium Valley is a core component to the success of Lithium Valley; other similar lithium-based ecosystems are being developed in competing states and local delays could result in Imperial County missing the opportunity to attract key developers.

Imperial County is dedicated to working with all stakeholders to advance the opportunities of Lithium Valley and see this once-in-a-generation transformation be realized for our community.

Imperial County – Friday, November 21, 2025, the County of Imperial announced the results of a comprehensive workforce and economic development study conducted by the RAND Corporation, over the last eighteen months. The report outlines a clear path for transforming Lithium Valley into one of the most significant clean energy, domestic supply of critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing hubs in the United States. 

In 2023, California’s Employment Development Department awarded the Imperial County Workforce Development Board $750,000 to complete a comprehensive Lithium Valley workforce and economic development needs assessment. Following the release of the County’s Request for Proposals on December 19, 2023, thirteen proposals were received by the March 1, 2024, deadline. After a structured evaluation process involving the Valley Works Steering Committee and Evaluation Committee, which was comprised of industry, labor, community, and government entities, RAND Corporation received the highest score and the Imperial County Workforce Development Board formally approved a contract with RAND on April 10, 2024, for an amount not to exceed $640,908. 

RAND’s report confirms that Imperial County is positioned to become a major leader in lithium extraction, with the potential to generate hundreds of permanent jobs, more than a thousand construction jobs, and strong growth in supporting industries such as logistics, construction, retail, and professional services. RAND notes that if action is taken now, the County may ultimately attract major components of the battery supply chain, including refining, materials processing, cell manufacturing, and recycling. This could unlock billions in long term investment and provide new career pathways for local residents. 

“Lithium Valley represents a rare chance to change the trajectory of our region. We are not simply preparing for growth. We are preparing to lead,” said County Executive Officer, Dr. Kathleen Lang. “This report shows that if we take deliberate steps to train our workforce, modernize infrastructure, and support responsible development, Imperial County can become a national center for innovation and advanced energy production.” 

Supervisor Ryan Kelley added, “Imperial County has spent years laying the groundwork for this moment. We have the resource, the talent, and the commitment to ensure that the benefits of Lithium Valley stay with our residents. This is about building a stronger local economy and creating opportunities for families who have lived here for generations.” 

Key Opportunities Identified in the Study

The RAND study highlights four areas of focus that will help the County secure the economic benefits of Lithium Valley: 

• Hiring Local: Establish clear local hire goals, expand job fairs, and build a countywide talent matching portal to ensure residents can connect directly with industry opportunities. 
• Training Local Workers: Strengthen partnerships between local colleges, union training programs, and employers. Expand certificate programs, apprenticeships, and STEM pathways to prepare residents for technical and managerial roles. 

• Accelerating Business Growth: Continue developing the County’s Development Concierge approach, establish a County investment fund, expand supplier matchmaking, and host an annual Lithium and Beyond investment summit to attract supporting industries. 

• Community Infrastructure: Use lithium excise tax revenues to improve housing, broadband, transportation, and essential public services such as childcare, education, and public safety. These investments will ensure residents can access new jobs and enjoy a higher quality of life. 

Imperial County Workforce and Economic Development Director, Priscilla Lopez, highlighted, “The County is committed to building a workforce that is prepared to participate in the opportunities emerging from Lithium Valley. This effort ensures that local residents are at the center of economic growth, supported by strong training partnerships, clear career pathways, and investments that create long term stability for our communities. We look forward to identifying opportunities from the RAND report to build on this vision.” 

Acknowledging Challenges and Providing Solutions 

RAND identified several challenges that must be addressed to ensure the opportunity is inclusive and sustainable. These include housing shortages, long permitting timelines, limited engineering capacity, and transportation constraints.  

• Housing: Rapid development will require additional housing solutions. RAND highlights the need to continue advancing partnerships and zoning updates to accelerate workforce housing and ensure long term affordability for local families. 
• Streamlined Permitting: Permitting delays may lead to development occurring in other States instead of Imperial County. RAND mentions how the County’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Report and Development Concierge model are reducing uncertainty and providing predictable timelines for responsible developers, but continued efficiencies in permitting is needed at all levels. 

• Workforce Development: Education and training is critical to ensure residents are equipped for new opportunities. Imperial Valley College, SDSU Imperial Valley, the University of California Riverside, and unions, are launching programs in industrial automation, chemistry, plant operations, and critical minerals analysis. 

• Transportation and Infrastructure: The County is working to expand road improvements and build transit connections; however, extensive funding mechanisms are needed from the state and federal government to improve the infrastructure in the region. RAND proposes continuing to identify these pathways as well as collaborating with industry for zero fare shuttle services that ensure reliable access to future developments. 

“These challenges are important, but they are also solvable,” said Chairman John Hawk. “What matters is that we are planning ahead, acting early, and focusing on strategies that uplift our communities. Our commitment is to ensure that every city and every neighborhood benefits from this opportunity.” 

A Hopeful Path Forward 

Deputy CEO of Natural Resources, Bari Bean, added, “Lithium Valley is not just a project. It is a long-term vision for prosperity and a way to secure a better future for Imperial County. We are focused on delivering real results and building an economy that works for everyone who calls this region home.” 

The County of Imperial remains committed to ensuring that Lithium Valley drives economic development, strengthens local communities, and helps secure a resilient domestic supply chain for the nation. 

“Imperial County is ready,” Dr. Lang said. “With the right partnerships and investment, the future of Lithium Valley is bright, and it begins right here.” 

RAND’s full report will be available the first week of December on RAND’s website as well as on the County of Imperial’s website: LithiumValley.CA

Sarah M. Enz, Imperial County Public Administrator, announces the Imperial County Indigent Burial Program will host its fifth Indigent Burial Ceremony at Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. 

Through the Indigent Burial Program, decedents meeting the criteria shall be afforded a dignified burial commensurate whether they are indigent or their family is financially unable to pay for their final disposition. When the responsibility for disposition becomes the duty of the County of Imperial, the decedent’s evidence intent is to take priority. Upon approval, applicants are limited to direct cremation. The County of Imperial does not supplement funds already available to the family or decedent for funeral arrangements. 

For more information on this project or any other services offered by the Public Administrator, Public Guardian or senior services through the Area Agency on Aging, contact the Imperial County Public Administrator’s office at (442) 265-7000 or visit their website at www.aaa24.org.

The Imperial County Department of Planning & Development is alerting the public and applicants about a recent increase in “false invoicing” scams. These scams involve individuals or entities falsely claiming affiliation with Imperial County and requesting payment for services or fees that are not legitimate.

Important Safety Tips:

• Official emails from Imperial County staff will only come from addresses ending with
  @co.imperial.ca.us. Always double-check the sender before responding or sending any
  payment.
  
• If you receive an invoice or communication that seems suspicious, do not respond
  immediately. Contact the intended county department directly to verify the request.
  
• Any suspicious communication should be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center
  (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov and/or your local police department.
  We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Supervisor Peggy Price, District 3, joined the Imperial County Public Works Department and leadership from the Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro to recognize the quick emergency response that ensured safe access to the base during recent storms.

When the first major storm closed Bennet Road. The main route to NAF, and left Haskel and Havens Roads flooded and unsafe, County Public Works mobilized under the declared emergency to pave and upgrade these critical secondary routes.

As Supervisor Price stated:

“The entry to the Naval Air Facility (NAF) was closed after the first storm due to damaged power poles. The secondary roads to the base were flooded and dangerous to travel in and out of the base. After a collaborative meeting with NAF leadership we were able to resolve the problem. I want to thank our Public Works Department staff for pivoting to make the repairs and paving to Haskel and Havens Roads. We now have a safe roadway for residents and civilians, including children, families, staff and our military serving our country. I also want to thank the Imperial Irrigation District for their quick response to restore power, repair the lines and poles in Seeley during the storms.”

This project highlights the importance of collaboration between the County of Imperial, NAF, and the Imperial Irrigation District to keep our community connected, safe, and prepared for future storms.

The Imperial County Department of Social Services (ICDSS) is informing residents that benefits under the federal CalFresh Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have been restored for November 2025. Customers who normally receive benefits between the 1st and 7th day of each month should have received their benefits overnight and throughout the day today. Customers who normally receive their benefits between the 8th and 10th day of each month will see no interruption in service.

Customers should:

Continue submitting any required verification requests.
Monitor EBT balance and issuance status via the ebtEDGE mobile application, online portalat www.ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of their card.

Contact the Imperial Valley Food Bank at https://www.ivfoodbank.com/ or (760) 370-0966 for continued food assistance.

Stay informed by visiting www.benefitsCal.com and the Imperial County Social Services websiteat https://www.imperialcountysocialservices.org/ or (760) 337-6800

To assist local families affected by this delay, consider donating or volunteering at the Imperial Valley FoodBank. Donations will help sustain food distribution efforts for those impacted by the disruption in services.

Imperial County officials are closely monitoring proposed flight reductions announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At this time, all scheduled flights are expected to operate as planned.

Residents and travelers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels. Should any disruptions occur, the County will provide updates promptly.

For more information, visit https://www.iflysouthern.com.