Hawk Outlines Challenges, Progress in State of the County Address

ERIC EVERWINE ON MARCH 19, 2025

HOLTVILLE — Addressing a room filled with local leaders and community figures, Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chair John Hawk acknowledged the county’s challenges while outlining the initiatives shaping its future during the 2025 State of the County address.

“It is a privilege to stand before you tonight to deliver the State of the County Address,” Hawk said at Casa Blanca in Holtville on March 13. “I want to be upfront and transparent, acknowledging that we are experiencing a challenging time for our county. Leadership is not just guiding through the good times, it is about standing firm in difficult moments, maintaining our commitment to the people we serve, and ensuring that the work of this county continues uninterrupted and unwavering.”

Hawk framed his speech around the theme of “Faith, family and future,” drawing from personal experiences and his journey in public service. He spoke about his upbringing on a farm and a pivotal moment during his college years. “After long conversations with a Christian friend, I made a decision that changed my life,” he said, citing Hebrews 11:6. “In November of 1972, I put my faith in Jesus Christ. I experienced forgiveness, acceptance and a deep desire to serve others.”

He introduced his family members in attendance, calling his wife, Susie, “a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.” He added, “Family is at the heart of everything we do.”

Economic Growth and Job Creation

Hawk detailed his focus on economic opportunities that could keep families together in the county. He recalled a moment from his campaign when a resident in Brawley asked him, “How can you help my family?” He said that discussion reinforced his belief that job creation is critical to strengthening the county’s future.

“If we had good jobs here in the Valley, and your kids moved home, could you help their families?” he recalled asking the resident. “She looked me in the eye, seemingly to see if I was not just someone looking for a vote.” He described the conversation as a reminder that “the future of Imperial County is built on the strength of our families and the work we do to support them.”

Hawk outlined three key economic drivers shaping Imperial County’s future: agriculture, logistics and Lithium Valley.

“Agriculture has always been the foundation of our local economy,” he said. “We are proud to be one of the most productive farming regions in the country, supplying a high percentage of winter vegetables to the U.S. and Canada.” He highlighted the region’s cattle industry, mechanization efforts, and the role of the Imperial Irrigation District in water management. “They have not only delivered water but have been stalwart in protecting our water rights and navigated the complexities of power generation and delivery,” Hawk said.

On logistics, he pointed to the county’s position as a transportation hub. “Through the Gateway to the Americas Project, we are developing hundreds of acres and millions of square feet of warehouse space, creating good-paying jobs and modernizing our infrastructure to support international trade,” he said. He added that the county’s ports of entry represent an opportunity “to strengthen and protect the border” and are “key economic drivers.”

Lithium Valley, he said, presents one of the most significant economic opportunities. “The lithium industry is changing the game for Imperial County, not only in economic growth but in our ability to create thousands of jobs in extraction, processing, manufacturing and a possible data center.”

While expressing optimism, Hawk also described the challenges facing these industries, particularly regulatory hurdles.

“Agriculture in California faces stiff competition with other states and countries such as Mexico and areas in South America,” he said. “Our mandatory minimum wage laws can be six to eight times higher than Mexico.” He pointed to regulatory burdens and high taxes as factors pushing growers to consider relocating.

He also criticized state trucking regulations, saying they have “had an adverse effect in logistics and related businesses, disrupting the gateway and our border.”

Regarding Lithium Valley, Hawk said that permitting delays and regulatory obstacles have slowed progress. “The California Energy Commission has delayed the permitting process and hampered the procurement of energy contracts,” he said. “This overregulation has caused Berkshire Hathaway to pull their permit. This represents a loss of over $4 billion in investment opportunities.” Hawk mentioned that Imperial Valley College students who have been studying to become clean energy operators could be “put on the shelf instead of being put to work.”

He also addressed the lawsuits that have stalled lithium development. “We have environmental justice groups that have sued to stop CTR (Controlled Thermal Resources) for their CEQA documents,” he said. “That, in effect, sidelined investors for a whole year until this frivolous lawsuit was thrown out and they are now appealing. While they advocate for jobs, they essentially are killing them. This hypocrisy has no place in developing jobs for Imperial County.”

“Bad policy delivers bad results. Good policy delivers good results,” he said.

Pivoting back to optimism, Hawk highlighted cost-saving measures and efficiency improvements across county departments.

“In Public Works, with contractors, we were paying nearly a million dollars per mile in paving our roads,” he said. “Today, with our dedicated staff and our new paving equipment, we have reduced the cost to $250,000 to pave a mile of road.”

He credited the county’s budget and finance director, Mayra Widmann, for modernizing financial management. “Our budget and finance director has acquired new accounting software that has eliminated having to use three older systems,” he said. “This new software combines all three systems, streamlines the financing, allowing us to analyze budgets, forecast revenue, and overall improve efficiency while expediting the operations in real time.”

On permitting, he noted efforts to improve accessibility. “We are working on improving our permitting process allowing residents and businesses to access the system online,” he said. “By having this system accessible virtually, we are able to process permits more efficiently, saving time for the applicant and doing it with significantly less expense.”

Hawk recognized his fellow supervisors for their contributions, citing specific areas of focus for each.

“Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh and Supervisor Peggy Price, as we focus on making our county government more efficient and responsive to the needs of our residents,” he said. “Supervisor Ryan Kelley, who has been a champion in advancing Lithium Valley and economic development. Supervisor Jesus Escobar, who is leading efforts to strengthen infrastructure and border commerce, particularly through the Calexico Gateway Project.”

He also acknowledged Rebecca Terrazas Baxter and staff from the CEO’s office, as well as department heads and county employees. Terrazas Baxter recently assumed the responsibilities of county executive officer after Miguel Figueroa was placed on administrative leave. “Your work does not go unnoticed, and your dedication is what drives our progress forward,” he said.

Hawk closed with a message of optimism. “Faith, family and future — this is the foundation of our county,” he said. “We are not just talking about progress; we are seeing it happen before our eyes.”

“Tonight, I ask you to continue standing with us, to invest in our future, and to believe in the power of faith, family, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead,” he said.

He ended the address by saying, “Thank you, and may God bless Imperial County.”

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