# Presentation: 448468

## University National Centers of Excellence

**University -- Community Partnerships**

- Kimberly Collins, Director
- California Center for Border and Regional Economic Studies
- Imperial Valley Campus–San Diego State University

## Basic Premise and Primary Goals

- Currently, universities/colleges educate the local residents and also produce studies and analysis on many different topics
- These studies are generally produced for academic journals and other academicians
- To develop and release to the overall community, university studies in easy-to-read and understandable formats
- These studies provide educational materials for local decision-makers and community members that relate to community and economic development

## California Center for Border and Regional Economic Studies

- Established in 1999 at the Imperial Valley Campus of San Diego State University to create a resource for the Imperial Valley, California-Baja California border residents, and individuals involved in the issues surrounding the U.S.-Mexican border.
- Mission of the CCBRES is to inform community members and decision makers of demographic, economic, social, and environmental trends in the Imperial County and Western U.S.-Mexican border region.

## CCBRES Products

*CCBRES Bulletin,* a monthly publication
- Web site — www.ccbres.sdsu.edu
- Imperial Valley Economic Planners — Internet list server
- Discussion workshops
- Special research studies and projects

## 2000-2001 Projects

**1. Primary Industry Data Collection -- Connectory.Com**
**2. Monograph on *****Economy, Environment, and Development in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali Region***
**3.  Sustainable Air Quality in the Imperial Valley-Mexicali Region:  A Public Outreach Program**
**4. Smart Growth and Livable Communities Project**
- This project will include an educational component to discuss Smart Growth techniques and will develop a regional Smart Growth plan for the Imperial Valley.** **
**5. Economic Development Strategies Border Program**
- Outreach and coordination in Imperial and San Diego counties, and the Arizona counties bordering Mexico.

## Imperial Valley Selected Indicators

**1990 Education Levels **
**High School -- 53.2%**
**2-Year Degree -- 6.9%**
**4-Year Degree -- 6.2%**
**Graduate or Professional -- 3.6%**

**Growth Rate **
**1990-2000**
**29%**

**2000 Population**
**154,549**

**2000 Total Employment -- 57,500**
**Total Farm -- 20,100**
**Total Non-Farm -- 37,400**
**Unemployment Rate (1999) -- 22.8%**

## Imperial Valley Firms By Number of Employees

- _	__	__	__3-Qtr. 97 __	__ 3-Qtr. 98 __	__ 3-Qtr. 99 __	_
- 0–4		   2,289 	    2,774 	    2,645
- 5–9	 	      510		       521                    533
- 10–19	         	      384 	     	       373 	       389
- 20–49	  	      288 		       307 	       309
- 50–99	          	        94		       112 	       114
- 100–249	        43 		         35 	         45
- 250–499	        12  	         21 	         14
- 500–999	          6 	 	           5 	           6
- 1000+	       	          2 		           2 	           2
- Total	      	   3,628 	    4,150 	    4,057

## 2004 Occupation Projections

## Northbound Crossings at Selected California Ports of Entry's (1)

##  Regional Population, 1990-2040

## Imperial Valley and Mexicali: How do they compare?

- _Imperial Valley_
- Primarily rural economy
- Agricultural employment largest sector
- Unemployment
- 22.8% in 1999
- Per capita personal income - $17,353
- 1 Community College and 1 University

- _Mexicali_
- Rural and urban economy
- Agricultural sector
- large service and industry sector
- Unemployment
- 1.6% in 1999
- Average daily wage $4.00 - $20.00
- 4 major universities and numerous smaller institutions

## Imperial Valley Sustainable Economic Development

- Visioning Plan Components
- What is the 10 year vision for the Imperial Valley?
- How to bring all the activities that are currently occurring into one plan or vision?
- How does Smart Growth/Livable Communities work into this vision?
- Who needs to participate?

## Contact Information

- Kimberly Collins, Director
- California Center for Border and Regional Economic Studies
- San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus
- 720 Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231
- Phone:  760-768-5510, Fax:  760-768-5583
- E-Mail:  kcollins@mail.sdsu.edu
- Web site:  www.ccbres.sdsu.edu