By: Ellie Burgueno, Journalist and Writer.
Imperial County is officially designated as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), a classification by the U.S. Small Business Administration meant to stimulate economic development and create jobs in distressed areas. This designation should, in theory, be a gateway to prosperity for local entrepreneurs. It should empower small businesses, attract government contracts, and reduce unemployment. Yet, for many residents and aspiring business owners, the reality paints a very different picture: Imperial County remains a place where stagnation isn’t just persistent—it benefits a select few.
Being a HUBZone should come with a myriad of advantages. Certified businesses in these areas are supposed to receive preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. The goal is simple: bring investment and growth to underserved communities. Imperial County qualifies for this status because of its high poverty and unemployment rates, and its majority-Hispanic population should, ideally, be among the main beneficiaries of this economic stimulus. However, the promise of the HUBZone program has been undermined by systemic issues that plague the region.
One of the things that is very surprising and commented by many is that despite being officially established in 1907, Imperial County’s growth and development have lagged far behind that of Yuma County, Arizona, which was founded earlier in 1864. Over the past two decades, Yuma’s population surged from roughly 77,000 in 2000 to over 213,000 by 2020, fueled by diverse economic sectors such as agriculture, military presence, tourism, and cross-border trade. In contrast, Imperial County’s population hovered around 180,000 in 2020, with slower economic diversification despite sharing similar geographic advantages and federal designations like the HUBZone program. This glaring disparity reveals that geographic position and federal aid alone are not enough—deep-rooted systemic barriers like corruption, exclusion, and weak governance have kept Imperial County stagnant while Yuma flourishes.
Over the years, I have observed a troubling pattern in Imperial County’s leadership structure. Many government and agency roles are filled through nepotism, favoritism, and personal connections rather than merit. These positions often go to retirees or individuals who crave the spotlight, not those committed to uplifting the community. This culture fosters mediocrity, discourages innovation, and stifles the voices of those genuinely trying to make a difference.
Decisions that should prioritize public benefit are too often made behind closed doors, benefitting insiders and family members. Public meetings are formalities rather than forums for true civic engagement. There is little transparency, and even less accountability. This corruption extends beyond government and into nonprofit organizations that rake in millions in state and federal funds, yet fail to deliver measurable results to the community they claim to serve.
From personal experience as a publisher, community advocate, and entrepreneur, I have spent years attempting to launch a coffee shop and bookstore—a space meant to foster culture, learning, and local economic growth. Despite my efforts, I’ve repeatedly encountered barriers when trying to collaborate with local governments. Calls often go unanswered, and emails are ignored—even though my bilingual publication consistently supports and promotes public initiatives, offering free exposure and community engagement.
As a certified woman-owned, Hispanic-owned business, a local property owner, and a lifelong resident deeply invested in the region, it is disheartening to be overlooked. Though my publication has served the community longer than many others, I’ve witnessed a troubling preference among some local agencies to contract with white-owned companies, sidelining diverse voices and long-standing local partners like myself and my team.
Moreover, I have supported countless local businesses by helping promote them, yet when it comes to equitable access or collaboration, doors remain closed. What is more concerning is the realization that those who control the local narrative and economic agenda are strategically positioned within various influential organizations—including chambers of commerce and other entities involved in economic development. These gatekeepers often serve their own interests and those of their peers by occupying key roles on relevant boards, including education and community development committees.
This consolidation of power creates an insular environment that stifles innovation and excludes fresh voices and new entrepreneurs. It is no wonder that many commercial properties in the area are owned by absentee landlords who favor national franchises over local ventures. Rather than seeing a vibrant local business community as an asset, these landlords perpetuate exclusivity and stagnation. They keep offices and storefronts vacant rather than renting to Hispanic or local entrepreneurs. And local government? They remain passive, failing to enforce or even propose ordinances that would regulate these discriminatory practices. If we cannot occupy our own city spaces to create jobs and economic activity, how can we ever expect the HUBZone promise to be fulfilled?
One of the less-discussed issues is the culture of dishonest competition that festers in small communities like Imperial County. Instead of working together and lifting one another up, too many local stakeholders engage in sabotage, gatekeeping, or exclusion. As a woman publisher leading an independent bilingual publication that serves the binational region, I have experienced firsthand the closed doors, the denied opportunities, and the unjustified resistance from people who should be allies in community progress.
Why is it so difficult for honest businesses to thrive here? Why are we celebrating mediocrity while shutting out innovation? Why are public resources consistently steered away from projects that could bring real change?
This stagnation and lack of opportunity have forced some of Imperial County’s most dedicated public servants and talented individuals to seek greener pastures elsewhere. A notable example is Alfredo Estrada Jr., the former chief of the Imperial County Fire Department. After decades of service, Estrada chose to leave the community he served to take a position in Los Angeles. His decision was driven not by ambition alone but by frustration: underpaid and often required to spend his own money to cover essential fire department needs, Estrada’s departure underscores a systemic failure to value and support those who protect and serve our community. This is not an isolated case but a symptom of a broader exodus fueled by a lack of investment in people and infrastructure. When respected leaders leave because the system does not fairly compensate or support them, the community loses not only expertise but also trust in local institutions.
Bad governance has consequences, and the people have shown they can rise up and demand transparency and accountability. A recent example is the removal of Raul Ureña and Gilberto Manzanarez from office by the will of the voters, who rejected their divisive politics that were harming Calexico. Their removal proved that power belongs to the people, and elected officials are only temporary stewards of government.
Today, Calexico is undergoing a healing process. The new city council works more collaboratively, and all department head positions are filled, creating a sense of stability and renewed hope for the city’s future. However, residents must continue to hold leadership accountable.
Across the Imperial Valley, the parochialism that has long hindered regional progress may finally be weakening. Cities now meet monthly through the League of Cities to collaborate and discuss common issues. The creation of the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Imperial Valley Healthcare District are steps toward a more unified regional mindset. To grow, we must move past the “every city for itself” mentality and embrace cooperation over competition.
The impact of this culture of exclusion and corruption is visible everywhere. Our youth leave the region in search of better opportunities. Small businesses struggle or fail to launch. High unemployment persists, and poverty remains entrenched. Infrastructure crumbles while funds are mismanaged. And yet, those in power face few consequences, continuing their cycles of self-enrichment and control.
The HUBZone program can only work when paired with honest leadership, inclusive policies, and a community-first mentality. It cannot flourish where silence is rewarded and corruption is overlooked. It cannot create opportunities if the gates remain locked to those without connections.
This editorial is not just a critique—it is a call to action. Imperial County deserves better. We deserve leadership that serves all residents, not just the well-connected. We need transparency in government contracting, fair access to commercial spaces, support for local entrepreneurs, and public investment that reflects community needs.
I urge local leaders, property owners, nonprofit organizations, and residents to reflect on the systemic issues that continue to hinder our growth. Let us stop pretending that the current system works for everyone. Let us advocate for local business ordinances that encourage property leasing to resident-owned ventures. Let us demand community-centered leadership and greater oversight of public funds. Let us elevate integrity over connections, collaboration over exclusion.
If we truly want to see Imperial County thrive, we must dismantle the systems that keep it stagnant. We must transform the HUBZone from a hollow designation into a genuine engine of opportunity.
The time for silence has passed. The time for action is now!
