History

The Southern Border Coalition is part of California's California Jobs First Initiative (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.