About El Centro:

The City of El Centro is a vibrant, multicultural, medium sized, desert community near the US-Mexico border. As the Imperial County seat, it is the core urban area for the region. With two major international border crossings nearby, it is home to retail, transportation and large agricultural industries. El Centro is exploring opportunities to deepen its relationship with state agencies and strives to create a healthier community.  

• Population: 42,598 (2010)
• Location: Imperial County
• Area: 11.19 square miles
• Disadvantaged community: 5%
• Poverty rate: 24.9%
• Median household income: $43,581
• Language other than English spoken at home: 80.1%

BOOST Activities:

• Provide SB 2 planning grant technical assistance
• Explore opportunities for obtaining a greenhouse gas emissions inventory
• Increase awareness of  and assist in accessing California Climate Investments (CCI) grant funding 
• Make connections with stakeholders in the region and state
• Assist in the application of an Active Transportation Program grant and an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant
• Provide public engagement support for 2020-2025 Strategic Plan

BOOST Successes:

ILG helped connect staff in El Centro to existing state technical assistance providers to establish meaningful partnerships and to find funding for the unique challenges facing the border city. ILG helped the city select an affordable housing developer for an infill project and facilitated discussions between technical assistance providers and state experts in order to submit a successful Round 6 Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities application. In addition, ILG designed and facilitated a three-month strategic planning effort with city council members and key staff that resulted in a new mission, vision, values and goals that will serve as the foundation for implementation of El Centro’s Vision 2050 plan.