San Diego State University Imperial Valley began construction on its Sciences and Engineering Laboratories in Brawley Friday.
The Imperial County project was first announced in May 2022. It is part of a larger effort to make the county California’s “Lithium Valley,” which would reportedly establish the state as a hub for lithium extraction and processing.
Lithium, the lightest metal and least dense solid element, is used in batteries that power everything from pacemakers to cars.
“This groundbreaking is more than a building — today we break ground on the future of the Imperial Valley,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
“This state-of-the-art teaching and research hub at San Diego State University Imperial Valley will advance access to skill-building and career pathways to high-opportunity, green jobs in California’s Lithium Valley — empowering our communities and protecting our planet for generations to come.”
Dozens of SDSU leaders, faculty, students and elected officials attended the groundbreaking.
The Sciences and Engineering Laboratories, when finished, will house a STEM Innovation Hub for students and faculty to collaborate. The 37,000-square- foot space is also designed with “flexibility to support future programs,” a statement from the university read.
“The groundbreaking is the realization of a vision shared by SDSU, the state of California, and the Imperial Valley community,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. “Not only will our Sciences and Engineering Laboratories significantly expand educational access within the region, it also builds on the many investments we have made over the last six years.
“This groundbreaking is a testament to our continued commitment to the Valley community, to which SDSU Imperial Valley is fortunate to have been a part of for more than six decades,” she said.
SDSU Imperial Valley, Brawley currently primarily houses classrooms and practicing clinical spaces for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. This new hub is part of the university’s goal to meeting geothermal energy sector demands.
“We have been providing high-quality academic degrees for more than 60 years in Imperial Valley. It’s our time to expand to serve the workforce needs of our region,” said Guillermina Gina Nuñez-Mchiri, SDSU Imperial Valley dean. “Our new Sciences and Engineering Laboratories will not only prepare the next generation of leaders in Imperial Valley, but it will also create a space for community, collaboration and knowledge within our staff, faculty and students.
“Our campus community will be at the forefront of Lithium Valley’s workforce development,” she said.
The new project is the result of $80 million in state and $15 million in SDSU funding. The facility is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
City News Service contributed to this report.