CERF Southern Border Coalition
You can make a difference in your community!
About the Coalition
The Southern Border Coalition is part of California's California Jobs First (Formerly CERF Community Economic Resilience Fund). At the state level, California Jobs First is allocating $5 million to each region to create plans that diversify and equalize the local economy with climate change in mind.
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 an equitable economic development plan for the region.
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