Overview

    Overview of the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC)

    Introduction

    The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is a federal-state partnership authorized by Congress in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (“the Farm Bill”) to promote and encourage economic development in parts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. SBRC invests in projects that support basic infrastructure, business development, natural resource preservation and workforce development.

    The commission structure comprises a Federal Co chair, appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and governors of the member states, of which one is appointed the state co-chair on a rotating basis. The commission’s guiding principles are to assist and invest in underserved and economically distressed communities, eliminate barriers to economic development, build local capacity, provide technical assistance, form partnerships, leverage commission funds, reduce costs, and complete projects. SBRC mission to further economic development in the Southwest Border Region by strategically investing in the human and physical infrastructure of the most economically distressed communities.

    The Commission aims to help create jobs, empower persistent poverty communities, and improve the lives of those who reside in the ninety-three counties of the four-state region. The Commission’s strategy to positively impact historically distressed communities through our funding and following our guiding principles and priorities, including:

    • Investing in Underserved Communities and Assisting the Most Distressed Communities First.
    • Eliminating Barriers to Economic Development, Building Local Capacity, and Providing Technical Assistance.
    • Leveraging Commission Funds, Forming Partnerships, Reducing Costs, and Completing Projects.

    Mission and Objectives

    Key Objectives:

    • Economic Development: Promote sustainable growth by supporting local businesses and industries.

    • Infrastructure Improvement: Invest in essential infrastructure such as transportation, water systems, and broadband.

    • Poverty Reduction: Address high poverty rates and unemployment in distressed counties.

    • Workforce Development: Enhance skills and educational opportunities for residents.

    Geographic Scope

    The SBRC covers counties in the southwestern U.S., including:

    • Distressed Counties: Representing 37 counties with the highest needs.

    • Transitional Counties: Accounting for 41 counties with moderate needs.

    • Attainment Counties: Comprising 15 counties with robust economic performance.

    Demographics and Statistics

    Highlights:

    • Population: 3.7 million people in distressed counties, representing 11% of the region’s population but 24% of those in poverty.
    • Poverty Rate: 18%, significantly higher than the national average of 12.6%.
    • Unemployment Rate: 6.5%, compared to the national average of 5.5%.
    • Education: 31.8% college graduates, slightly below the national average of 33.7%.

    Race and Ethnicity Breakdown:

    • 48.1% Hispanic or Latino

    • 33.7% White (non-Hispanic)

    • 5.2% Black or African American (non-Hispanic)

    • 9.2% Asian (non-Hispanic)

    • Other minority groups accounting for 4.6%

    Key Programs and Initiatives

    1. Infrastructure Investments: Building roads, bridges, and water systems to support growth.

    2. Small Business Support: Providing grants and resources to foster entrepreneurship.

    3. Workforce Training: Partnering with educational institutions to enhance skill development.

    4. Community Development: Supporting housing, healthcare, and social programs.

    Service Area

    • SBRC County Map
    • List of SBRC Counties

    The Counties of the Southwest Border Regional Commission

    The region of the Southwest Border Regional Commission shall consist of the following political subdivisions:

    Arizona—The counties of Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma in the State of Arizona

    California—The counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura in the State of California

    New Mexico—The counties of Catron, Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro in the State of New Mexico

    Texas—The counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Coke, Concho, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Gillespie, Glasscock, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Loving, Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Real, Reeves, San Patricio, Shleicher, Sutton, Starr, Sterling, Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Webb, Willacy, Wilson, Winkler, Zapata, and Zavala in the State of Texas

    Conclusion

    The SBRC plays a vital role in addressing regional challenges and promoting prosperity in the southwestern U.S. By leveraging partnerships and investing in critical areas, the commission seeks to create opportunities and improve living standards for its residents.

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    The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development within the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

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    Follow Up With Us

    3655 Research Drive, Genesis Center-C
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

    info@sbrc.gov 

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