Brawley Daily: Workforce visit, small quake, and local fundraisers
Brawley, CA — February 7, 2026 — Workforce leaders visit SDSU labs, a small quake rattles near town, and new fundraisers brighten the weekend.
Good morning, Brawley
Here is a quick look at what’s been happening in and around Brawley over the last couple of days as the Imperial Valley eases into the weekend.
State workforce leaders spotlight Brawley’s new STEM hub
State and regional workforce officials spent Friday in the Imperial Valley, including a stop at the new science and engineering laboratories in Brawley operated by San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley campus. The visit was part of a full day of meetings focused on aligning education and job training with growing industries such as clean energy and advanced agriculture.
Local leaders used the tour to highlight how the new labs can prepare residents for higher-wage careers tied to the emerging “Lithium Valley” economy and to long-standing sectors like food processing and irrigation technology. The facility offers hands-on research and STEM pathways intended to keep more students in the region while meeting local employers’ needs.
Small quake recorded south of the city
A minor earthquake shook just south-southwest of Brawley on Thursday evening, February 5. Seismologists measured the quake at magnitude 1.2, with an epicenter about two miles from the city and roughly six miles deep. Events of this size are usually felt, if at all, as only a brief, light tremor.
There were no immediate reports of damage, but the tremor is a reminder that the Imperial Valley sits in an active seismic area. Residents are encouraged to keep basic emergency supplies on hand and to review “drop, cover, and hold on” procedures at home, school, and work.
Fundraiser night and upcoming community events
On Friday night, neighbors gathered at the Stockmens Club on Marjorie Avenue for a “Nite at the Races” fundraiser, adding some entertainment to the end of the workweek while raising money for local causes.
Looking ahead, a scholarship fundraiser is scheduled later this month at Hinojosa Park, and a “Cafecito y Charla / Business Brew” gathering on North Plaza Street will give small-business owners and residents a chance to network and share ideas about the local economy. These kinds of grassroots events help keep Brawley’s civic life active between the bigger festivals and parades.
Sources
- https://imperialcounty.org/2026/02/cwdbvisit/
- https://scedc.caltech.edu/recent/Quakes/ci41392640.html
- https://new.patch.com/california/imperial-ca
- https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2024/02/sdsu-breaks-ground-on-sciences-and-engineering-laboratories-in-brawley
- https://www.brawleyhigh.org/news
- https://www.brawley-ca.gov/
