State Allocates $10M to Support Lithium Valley Planning, Infrastructure
ERIC EVERWINE ON MARCH 24, 2025
EL CENTRO — A $10 million allocation from the state budget will go toward early-stage infrastructure and planning efforts in Imperial County’s Lithium Valley.
State Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) secured the funding, which local officials say could help attract further investment, both public and private, as the region continues positioning itself as a hub for critical mineral extraction and renewable energy.
The funding was announced at a press conference hosted by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on March 21, where Padilla joined county officials and representatives from state offices and the geothermal industry.
“This $10 million investment in the Lithium Valley is a game changer for our region,” said Imperial County Board Chair John Hawk at the start of the press conference. “These funds are instrumental in building a stronger, more sustainable Imperial County, one where our community benefits from the opportunities ahead.”
The allocation will support a range of efforts tied to the county’s Lithium Valley plans, including bridge and road improvements, community outreach, and educational programming related to renewable energy and geothermal development.
Rebecca Terrazas Baxter, Imperial County’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer — who has taken over for county CEO Miguel Figueroa while he remains on administrative leave — outlined several specific projects targeted for funding, including the demolition and replacement of the Vail Canal timber bridge and concrete bridge repair over the New River.
“It will help to advance infrastructure through major investments in bridge repair and road paving that are crucial for creating the physical infrastructure needed to develop Lithium Valley,” Terrazas Baxter said. “Road paving … expands accessibility in the region and ensures robust connectivity.”
She also noted plans for a new North End facility that would serve as a center for community services and business support.
District 4 Supervisor Ryan Kelley addresses the press and assembled stakeholders regarding a $10 million investment by the state of California for Lithium Valley development at a press conference at the board chambers on Friday, March 21. | ERIC EVERWINE PHOTO
“This dedicated space will definitely help to enhance coordination, it will foster collaboration, and ensure that projects and policies supporting Lithium Valley progress efficiently,” she said.
County officials say the money could help create momentum and make Imperial County more attractive to outside investors. Terrazas Baxter said the funding will support “community and stakeholder engagement,” including the development of K-12 educational initiatives focused on geothermal energy, as well as expanded Spanish-language services during planning and permitting processes.
Supervisor Ryan Kelley, who serves on the county’s Lithium Valley Subcommittee, said the timing of the funding aligns with key planning milestones.
“This investment into infrastructure, into supporting the specific plan and programmatic EIR of Lithium Valley is significant, as we are now with a draft document out for public comment and a programmatic EIR about to be released in the next 60 days,” Kelley said.
He also noted that the support from Padilla came without prior notice.
“This was unexpected, but welcome,” Kelley said. “We’re at a crucial moment of being able to fulfill what this vision means and the support of Sen. Padilla and other representatives across our state and federal government are needed now more than ever.”
Outside of county government, representatives from state and industry offices were also present. Jasmine Guillen, speaking on behalf of Assemblymember Jeff Gonzales, said the assemblymember’s office is focused on policy solutions that support workforce development and economic opportunity.
“We are actively engaging with industry leaders to address the high unemployment rates while also working closely with county, state agencies, and local colleges and universities to ensure continued funding for education and workforce development,” Guillen said.
Rod Colwell, CEO of Controlled Thermal Resources, said that the state investment helps address a lingering barrier to attracting other projects and manufacturing partners.
“It’s monumental,” Colwell said. “It actually instills confidence to a lot of the companies that want to come and co-locate here. We’ve always had that issue of being greenfield. No blacktop roads, no pipes, no bridges, things like that. So this is going to solve a lot of that.”
Colwell said progress on environmental permitting — particularly through the programmatic Environmental Impact Report currently underway — will make future litigation more difficult, referencing the appeal of the Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks lawsuit against CTR and Imperial County, filed on March 7.
“With the programmatic EIR where front-loaded environmental permitting is done… it’s going to be very difficult to sue by self-interest groups that got a hold of us,” Colwell said.
“We’re still on schedule. That equipment’s still staged. We do have our permits,” he said. “It’s unlikely if we do get an appeal of whether it would stick or not. So we’re moving confidently on that.”
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Hawk addresses the press and assembled stakeholders regarding a $10 million investment by the state of California for Lithium Valley development at a press conference at the board chambers on Friday, March 21. | ERIC EVERWINE PHOTO
Hawk, in a follow-up interview, said the timing of the state allocation could help the county present a stronger case to investors and federal agencies. He described the recent lawsuit — which was dismissed by the Imperial County Superior Court — as a persistent challenge that undermines investor confidence.
“It got thrown out and then they appeal,” Hawk said. “So the process works against you and even when you win. This is very disappointing for us.
“We feel like investors when they look at a company to invest in, they’re wanting to see progress. They don’t want to see a lawsuit, and I think it hurts all of us,” he continued. “What do we tell the people whose kids have moved away? What do we tell the kids that have been trained to become operators at IVC? We tell them, hey look, we’re just not sure what we’re doing.”
Despite the appeal, Hawk said the allocation shows the state is still backing the county’s vision.
“It sends a very positive message that we want to get it fixed,” Hawk said. “We need to extract the lithium but we need help to get it moving. We need roads. We need bridges. All of the above and so the $10 million is very positive.”
At the press conference, Sen. Padilla described the funding as part of a larger effort to support long-term economic development and energy security in the region.
“There’s a lot of tremendous possibility, tremendous dreams for this region, many of which are so very long overdue,” Padilla said. “Sitting on a critical resource … the potential, if we’re smart, to be able to provide infrastructure that will not just serve this potential industry… but to be a lasting legacy in this community for future generations.”
Read full story HERE