Calexico SWOT Analysis Report
This document presents a comprehensive breakdown of the SWOT analysis findings for the City of Calexico. Items are organized into strategic categories to facilitate planning and decision-making, with all items listed verbatim as provided during the analysis sessions.
I. Strengths
Geographic Strategic Advantage
• Strategic Border Location
• Border Location
Institutional & Infrastructure Assets
Infrastructure Assets (Ports, Downtown, Proximity to Transportation Corridors) • SDSU
City Paramedic Services
• Water and Sewage Improvements
• , Library
• Recreation
Social Capital & Community Resiliency
• Strong Community Identity
• Passionate & engaged Residents
• Cultural Richness
• Passionate Citizens
Active Community Members
• Collaborative Community members
• Volunteers
• Good Stakeholders
• Hopeful Community Members
• Resident Appreciation
Engaged Residents
• Young & Resilient Population
Human Capital & Leadership Capacity
• Good Employees with Good Plans
• Fully Staffed Department Heads
• Diverse Council Strengths
• Department Heads
Agency Communication & Collaboration
• Small City Structure allows Direct Connection with Community • Open Communication with Agencies (IID, MX Consulate, Districts) • Collaborative with Agencies
• Follow Ups
• Youth and Senior Communication
• Shared Vision
Il. Weaknesses
Governance, Accountability & Organizational Culture
• Perceived Dysfunction & Political Division
• Lack of Collaboration & Transparency
• Weak Leadership Direction & Accountability
• Perception of Favoritism
• Political Tension Affecting Staff Morale
• Division Caused by Distractions (Cordova Park)
• Mayor Rotation
• Internal Inflammatory Remarks
• Lack of Administrative Direction
• Lack of Professionalism
• Lack of Accountability & Professionalism
Lack of Integrity
• Lack of Common Sense
• Leadership Accountability
Administrative & Operational Gaps
• Operational Inefficiencies
• Poor Customer Service Impacting Residents, Developers, Businesses • Slow Permitting & Development Processing Discourage Investment • High Staff Turnover
• Lack of Communication from Administration to Council
• Slow Approval Processes
• Reactive instead of Proactive
• No Administrative Chain of Command
• No Supervisory Training
• Unclear Processes
• Communication (Internal and Public)
• Delayed Notices (Internal and Public)
• No Information Technology Department
• Low Employee Morale
Fiscal Stability & Economic Development Infrastructure
• Limited Economic Diversification
Finances
• Border Traffic Control Expenses (850k annually)
• Lack of Chamber of Commerce
• No Economic Development Department
No Economic Development Department
• Unspent Capital Funding
• No Timelines on Capital Projects
• Finance Management
Infrastructure Decay & Public Service Deficiencies
• Aging Infrastructure/Deferred Maintenance
• No Hospital
• Current Border Traffic Patterns
• Infrastructure
• Theater Closure
• Lack of Security (Vandalism)
• Facilities needing repairs
• Housing Development
• Understaffed Police and Fire
Public Trust & Information Management
• Public Perception of Behind-the-Scenes Decisions
• Loss of Public Trust
Negative Social Media
IlI. Opportunities
Economic Expansion & Land Use
• Downtown Revitalization (Events, Beautification, Incentives) • Warehousing/Trade/Manufacturing
• Increase Housing Development & Mixed-Use Projects
• Manufacturing and Warehouse Development
• Utilize City Owned Land
Operational Reform & Service Optimization
• Reform Customer Service Standards
• Establish measurable accountability metrics for City Departments • Use Modern Technology to Improve Processes (Permits, Reporting, Resident Services) • Hiring First Responders
• Hiring Economic Developer
• Privatized Emergency Medical Services
• Grant Funding
• System for Citizen Concerns
Regional & Binational Synergy
• Strengthening Partnerships (ICTC, Federal Border Infrastructure) • Build Regional Partnerships within Imperial Valley
• IV Health District Relationship
• Federal Funding for Border Medical Emergencies
• Border Traffic Circulation Plan Implementation
• Binational Economic Partnership
• Binational Partnership Addressing Traffic
Governance Reform & Public Trust Building
• Improve Transparency (Workshops, Livestreams, Communication) • Stronger Business Community Relationships
• Council Policy Implementation
• Gaining Citizen Trust via Actions
• Council Decorum Policy and Procedure Implementation
Community Enrichment & Revenue Generation
• Expand Youth Engagement Programs
Leadership Development Opportunities
• Cordova Park
• City Gym Construction
Park Improvements
• US to MX Expedited Entry Fees
• Overnight Border Parking fees
• Low Cost Border Restrooms
Border Express Lane Fee (US to MX)
• Revenue via City Attorney Misdemeanor Prosecution
• Senior Recreation Expansion (Arts & Crafts)
IV. Threats
Political & Legal Liability
Political Infighting Eroding Public Trust
• Legal Exposure Risk/Brown Act Concerns
• Cordova Park Litigation
• Litigation Potential
• Council Behaviors/ Actions Deter Investors/Growth
Fiscal & External Economic Pressures
• Border Conditions creating Economic Vulnerability
• Infrastructure and liability impact to budgets
• Impact fees hinder housing opportunities
• High Costs Deter Developers
• Inflation
• Measure H Expiration Date (2030)
• CaPERS Fiscal Impact
• Stalled Water Rate Increase
Operational Continuity & Competitive Risks
• Staff Retention Rates
• Public Frustration with Services
• Development attracted to competing cities due Calexico Slow Processes • No Established Long Term Vision fosters reactivity over proactivity • Lost Opportunities due to bad Communication
• Lack of First Responders
• Unfunded State/Federal Mandates
Social & Public Information Risks
Social Media Misinformation creating public hostility
Uninformed Public
• Homelessness
• Homelessness
Infrastructure Obsolescence & Regulatory Burden
• 2035 EV Requirements with no supporting infrastructure • Border Traffic Impacts to Local Businesses
• Water Infrastructure
• Road Conditions
• Old Buildings and Infrastructure