Imperial County and Imperial Irrigation District officials have declared a State of Economic Emergency.

The declaration comes on the heels of the shut-down of the Spreckels Sugar Company operation. The sugar beet processing plant on State Route 86 and Keystone Road gently ceased operations after more than 75 years processing Imperial Valley grown sugar beets. Imperial County has farmed approximately 20,000 acres of beets. The economic loss is estimated at over $242 million.The closure will not only affect the growers but also hundreds of families dependent on 430 direct jobs supporting the industry.  Jobs created in the growing, transportation and processing of the crop. Local representatives met with state and federal elected officials asking for urgent support for the Valley.