Last week, the 2023 California Economic Summit: Coachella and Imperial Valleys took place in Indian Wells. IVEDC joined California Forward and leaders from across the state to showcase the unique assets and aspects of Imperial Valley. The conference featured sessions on industry, workforce, education, housing, infrastructure, broadband and equity, to name a few.

On Thursday, IVEDC CEO Timothy Kelley moderated a panel discussion about the future of energy in California and funding opportunities for sustainable industries such as lithium and hydrogen. Statevolt Founder and CEO Lars Carlstrom joined the panel and spoke about Statevolt's battery manufacturing gigafactory in Imperial County and his experience doing business in California.

Other Imperial Valley leaders spoke throughout the conference, including IVEDC Board members Bari Bean, Marketing and Community Relations Manager at BHE Renewables and City of Brawley Mayor, George Nava.

IVEDC also led the well attended Lithium Valley tour on October 11th.