California Jobs First - Southern Border Coalition
About the Southern Border Coalition
The Southern Border Coalition is part of California's California Jobs First Initative (formerly CERF Community Economic Resilience Fund). At the state level, California Jobs First is allocating $19 million to each region to create plans that diversify and equalize the local economy with climate change in mind and to invest in projects that support the priority industries identified by the Coalition. The Coalition aims to foster long-term economic resilience across San Diego and Imperial Counties and coordinates competitive applications for additional funding from the state government.
The Coalition is comprised of community of environmental justice organizations, regional economic development entities, labor unions, community-based organizations (CBOs), local governments, educational institutions, and Indigenous Tribes working together to create and enact an equitable economic development plan for the region.
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Request for Proposals
Following the comprehensive Planning Phase, where the Southern Border Coalition conducted an in-depth regional analysis (see Regional Plan Part 1 below) and developed targeted strategies for economic advancement in Imperial and San Diego Counties (see Regional Plan Part 2 below), the Coalition is now launching the Implementation Phase of the CA Jobs First Initiative. Through this Request for Proposal (RFP - linked below), the Caolition is seeking innovative project proposals that will translate the strategic plan into tangible action. The Coalition is looking for projects that promote economic resilience, equitable growth, and workforce development across high-growth industries identified by the Coalition in the Planning Phase. These projects must align with the California Jobs First core goals of creating quality jobs, advancing sustainability, and prioritizing disinvested communities throughout the Southern Border Region. Key inforamtion can be accessed using the links below.
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Request for Proposals Link
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Project Registration Form Link
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - RFP Kickoff Webinar Slides Link
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Request for Technical Assistance Form Link
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Open Office Hours Zoom Link - Mondays @ 11 am
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - RFP Kick Webinar Recroding Link - March 18, 2025
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - RFP Kick Webinar Recroding Link - March 20, 2025
Planning Phase
The Southern Border Coalition has developed a regional economic recovery and transition plan that addresses essential elements of a High Road strategy. The plan was co-developed with diverse stakeholders throughout the process, from visioning to analysis, and to strategy and roadmap creation. The Southern Border Coalition plan accounts for sub-regional and inter-regional dynamics. The Southern Border Regional Plan includes 2 parts - Part 1 presents a snapshot of socio-economic conditions in the region: mapping stakeholders, providing a regional summary, and conducting analyses; Part 2 establishes a forward-looking economic development and transition roadmap using the information obtained in Part 1. During the Catalyst Phase (see above) the Southern Border Caolition will idenfity a series of investment strategies that will be informed by this forward-looking economic transition roadmap.
Regional Plan Part 1
The Regional plan Part 1 presents a baseline of the region. It considers the region’s stakeholders, assesses the factors affecting the region’s economic, environmental, and health conditions, and conducts detailed economic and workforce analyses. The intention of the Regional Plan Part 1 is to ensure that the Regional Plan Part 2 takes full account of the factors shaping economic development in the region before developing strategies for recovery and transition.
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - English
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Spanish
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Somali
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Amharic
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Arabic
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Vietnamese
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Mandarin
CA Jobs First SB Coalition_Regional Plan_Part 1 - Tagalog
Regional Plan Part 2
Built on the findings of the Regional Plan Part 1, the Regional Plan Part 2 provides a holistic economic development and transition roadmap with strategies that prioritize the creation of high-quality jobs, equitable access to jobs and resources, and emphasizes developing sustainable and resilient economies and industries. The Regional Plan Part 2 identifies 3 regional Priority Industries - Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Clean Energy, 1 subregional Priority industry in Imperial County - Logistics & Warehousing - and 2 subregional Priority Industries in San Diego County - Life Sciences and Arts, Culture, & Tourism. Part 2 also identifies 3 locally serving industries - Community Health, Water, and Training & Workforce Development - and 4 foundational industries - Community Infrastructure, Digital Infrastructure, Housing, and Non-profits & Community Based Organizations.
You can make a difference in your community!
You can make a difference in your community!
Southern Border Coalition Co-conveners
Why Join the Coalition?
Motivated community members can make a difference in their region.
You care about the economic prosperity of San Diego or Imperial County
Our region's largest industries include health care, science and technology, mining, retail and educational services. But the richness of our enterprise is not distributed evenly and still has room to grow.
You believe in fair working conditions for all
In forming a high road transition collaborative (HRTC), we will favor businesses and policies that invest in workforce development, pay family-sustaining wages and engage in environmentally sustainable business practices.
You want your voice heard
We are hoping to plan with communities, not at communites. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable populations and those historically excluded from policy decisions throughout the region.
You understand the tight links between climate change, financial security and health
Monitoring water usage, energy consumption and resource extraction can help prevent detrimental and disproportional effects of climate crises on our community members.
Become a Partner
We are looking for individuals and organizations from the following sectors to join the Coalition:
- Labor organizations
- Employers, businesses and business associations
- Grassroots and community-based organizations, community organizers and community members
- Government agencies
- Economic development agencies
- Philanthropic organizations
- Education and training providers
- Workforce entities
- Environmental justice organizations
- Worker centers
- Disinvested communities
- California Native American Tribes
- Youth leaders (individuals 15-24)
- LGBTQIA communities
- Farmworkers
- Others capable of contributing to the success of this project
Regional Strengths
Gross Regional Product of Cali-Baja region
Hispanic population in Imperial County
Military Community in the Country
Regional Challenges
of households in San Diego County
Unemploymemt rate
Gini ratio for San Diego and Imperial County
Five central tenets guide our economic development planning Include populations historically excluded from planning and economic development processes Aim for a self-sustaining, carbon-neutral, climate-resilient economy that address the needs of the region's communities Prioritize jobs that provide a family-sustaining wage, benefits and professional development, value collective worker input and offer safe working conditionsCentral Tenets
Equity
Sustainability
Job Quality and Access
Economic Competitiveness
Economic Resilience