New IMBA President Charts Future of Binational Cooperation

-Editorial

The Imperial-Mexicali Binational Alliance (IMBA) held another strategic meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10, bringing together regional leaders and representatives from economic development organizations, educational institutions and government agencies. The gathering also marked a leadership transition, with the appointment of Luis Carlos Castro Vizcarra as the alliance’s new president, who outlined his priorities for advancing cross-border cooperation between Imperial County and Mexicali.

The meeting took place at the Imperial County Transportation Commission offices, located at 1530 N. Imperial Ave. in El Centro, where participants discussed regional development initiatives, international trade, education, infrastructure and strategic planning for the coming year.

Castro Vizcarra succeeds Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp. (IVEDC) President Timothy Kelley as head of the binational committee. During his one-year term, he plans to focus on economic development, environmental issues, education, transportation and infrastructure improvements as central objectives for the organization.

Castro Vizcarra described his appointment as an opportunity to continue building relationships between the two regions while advancing projects that support economic growth and regional integration.

“It is a pleasure and an honor to lead the efforts of this committee, whose purpose is to strengthen ties between these two important regions and help build the greater Imperial-Mexicali megaregion,” Castro Vizcarra said. “We focus on four main areas: economic development, education, environmental issues and mobility.”

He noted that the alliance, which has been operating since 2012, will continue pursuing existing initiatives while identifying new opportunities for cooperation throughout his presidency.

One of the potential priorities for 2027 involves improvements to Mexicali’s airport infrastructure, an initiative proposed by CDEM as a major regional development project.

“CDEM is currently proposing strengthening the infrastructure of Mexicali’s airport as a cornerstone project for 2027,” Castro Vizcarra said. “This would bring greater investment, improved infrastructure, increased economic development and better mobility between Mexicali and the Imperial Valley.”

Strategic Planning and Regional Development

The Nov. 10 meeting focused on IMBA’s 2026-27 strategic planning priorities, including organizational coordination, meeting schedules, marketing initiatives and outreach efforts intended to strengthen cross-border collaboration.

Representatives from IVEDC and other participating organizations opened the meeting with introductions, followed by an overview of the alliance’s strategic planning objectives presented by its leadership.

Discussions addressed future meeting locations, organizational priorities and communication strategies aimed at improving coordination among participating institutions.

A portion of the meeting was dedicated to developments involving foreign trade zones, featuring a presentation by Jade Padilla and Priscilla Lopez of the Imperial County Workforce Development Board.

Their presentation addressed foreign trade zone activities and their relevance to regional economic development and international commerce, highlighting the importance of these initiatives in supporting trade and business opportunities across the border.

Educational institutions also participated in the meeting, with updates from Imperial Valley College, San Diego State University and CEU16. The education segment provided an opportunity for representatives to share institutional developments and discuss initiatives related to regional education.

Economic development discussions included updates from participating organizations in Imperial County and Mexicali, including IVEDC, CDEM and MEDC.

Beyond Borders Gazette Highlights Regional Connections and Upcoming Initiatives

As part of the economic development segment, Ellie Burgueño delivered a presentation on Beyond Borders Gazette under the theme “Connecting Communities and Advancing Toward the 11th Anniversary.”

The presentation highlighted the publication’s role in connecting communities, businesses and regional partners throughout the Cali-Baja region as it approaches its 11th anniversary.

Burgueño also shared updates on the publication’s recent successful Mujer de Éxito Business Forum, held Oct. 7 at the San Diego Central Library Rooftop. The fourth edition marked an important milestone for the initiative, expanding its reach into San Diego and bringing together businesswomen, entrepreneurs and regional partners.

She announced that preparations are already underway for the fifth edition of the Mujer de Éxito Business Forum, scheduled for May 19, 2027, at the Casa Blanca Venue in Imperial County. The upcoming event will continue providing opportunities for networking, business development and collaboration among women entrepreneurs, business leaders and regional organizations.

The presentation also emphasized the importance of regional media in connecting communities, sharing information and supporting economic development initiatives throughout the binational region.

Regional Updates and Next Meeting

The gathering also provided an opportunity for attendees to share announcements and updates on ongoing projects, with participants allotted approximately two minutes each to discuss their respective initiatives.

Representatives from IVEDC, the Imperial County Transportation Commission and CDEM participated in the closing portion of the meeting, which included discussions of future agenda items and coordination of the alliance’s next gathering.

The next IMBA meeting is expected to take place in Mexicali, although a date has not yet been determined.

Established in 2012, the Imperial-Mexicali Binational Alliance serves as a collaborative forum for organizations involved in economic development, education, international commerce, and regional planning on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Through continued institutional coordination and binational partnerships, the alliance seeks to strengthen economic ties and advance opportunities throughout the greater Imperial-Mexicali megaregion.