REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
DEEPAK BAHL, Director, Economic Development
SUBJECT
Title
Out-of-Country Travel Request
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve out-of-country travel request for a two-person delegation of County representatives to travel to Mexico City, Mexico, at a total not-to-exceed cost of $8,502, from October 26, 2026 through October 29, 2026, to represent the County at SelectUSA Mexico Conference 2026 for the purposes of attracting foreign direct investment to the County.
(Presenter: Deepak Bahl, Economic Development Director, 387-4385)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Employment Opportunities and Economic Value in the County.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost to attend the SelectUSA Mexico Conference is estimated to be $4,250 per County representative. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Economic Development Department’s (ED) 2026-2027 budget to fund these costs.
|
Category |
Expense |
Amount |
|
Conference: |
$1,800 x 2 members |
$3,600 |
|
Air Travel: |
$700 x 2 members |
$1,400 |
|
Lodging: |
$209 + taxes and fees per night x 3 nights = $900 x 2 members |
$1,800 |
|
Meals & Incidentals: |
$86 x 2 days x 2 members = $344 First and last day of Travel - $64.50 x 2 days x 2 members = $258 |
$602 |
|
Incidentals |
$300 x 2 members |
$600 |
|
Local travel/Ground Transportation: |
$250 x 2 members |
$500 |
|
|
Total |
$8,502 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ED is involved in fostering a globally competitive economy by building a network of partnerships across multiple levels to drive international trade and attract foreign direct investment. By doing so, ED is laying the foundation to create new jobs, improve capital access for local businesses, boost productivity, and stimulate economic growth. This multifaceted approach not only promotes local economic development but also strengthens the region's positioning in the global market. The County continues to become an increasingly important gateway for international trade and prime investment location.
The SelectUSA Mexico Conference (Conference) is a comprehensive event that will comprise of one-on-one meetings, connections between economic development organizations and Mexican companies, and invaluable networking opportunities. The programming will focus on industry sectors including Manufacturing, Healthcare and Biotechnology, Logistics and Transportation and Energy. This Conference serves as a crucial bridge for Mexican investors looking to explore opportunities in the U.S., as well as for economic development organizations aiming to attract foreign direct investment to U.S. markets. By connecting these groups, the Conference provides a platform for discussing investment incentives and exploring the regulatory and financial landscapes for cross-border investments.
The approval of this item will allow County representatives from ED participating in the Conference to continue the momentum gained during previous engagements, make new connections to increase international trade, and attract foreign direct investment.
Per County Policy No. 08-04, prior approval for travel outside of the United States for County business must be authorized by the Board.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 28, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Eduardo Mora, Administrative Analyst, 387-4376) on July 29, 2026.