Early this summer, South County Economic Development Council launched the first study of the economic impacts of border crossings --- the Border Values Survey -- since the 1994 San Diego Dialogue's "Who Crosses the Border?" survey was published based on 1992 data.

SCEDC's research consultant, Crossborder Business Associates, began implementing a series of survey projects to develop an "economic mosaic" of crossborder impacts earlier this year. Mosaic elements include surveys of businesses to understand the short- and long-term effects of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent increase in border security on cross-border business transactions; a survey of San Diego shopping centers to determine how many shoppers are coming up from Baja for American goods; and in-person interviews of those crossing the border.

A business survey among South County businesses has just been completed and attempts to understand the economic impact local border crossings have on the communities from both sides of the border. Crossborder Business Associates, or CBA, surveyed more than 100 businesses in South San Diego County and asked owners and managers to gauge the impact of increased border waits caused by new security measures. From those interviews, CBA estimated economic linkages across the border.

Some initial results of the survey mosaic include:

* Data provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service indicates since September 2001 border crossing events declined by 480,000 cars crossing and 358,000 individuals walking across per month.

* Surveys conducted in June and July at seven South County shopping centers demonstrate at least 11 percent of the shoppers on average are driving in from Baja California. In some cases, the proportion of vehicles from Baja California made up nearly 30 percent of a shopping mall's visitors.

"This means people from Baja are still shopping," said Kenn Morris of CBA. "This portion of the survey represents an economic value of $72 (million) to $132 million taking place annually at these seven shopping centers alone."

* A survey of South County retailers within 12 miles of the border crossings reported on average 34.8 percent of their shoppers were from Baja. More than half -- 57 percent -- of these retailers indicated their customers from the south have a "somewhat high" importance to their overall sales. At the same time, 40 percent of these businesses also report their sales to crossborder shoppers are lower than they were prior to 9/11. A similar study out of the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California indicated 63 percent of border crossings were for shopping.

* Approximately 60 percent of South County businesses surveyed report they are either 'somewhat' or 'very concerned' increased border waits are harming their business.

* More than three-quarters of businesses indicated border waits of 20 minutes to 30 minutes were acceptable and reasonable, given the need to balance security and the regional economy.

* Nearly 70 percent of South County business owners reported increased wait times at the border directly affected at least of their employees' ability to get to work. Also, 14 percent of employers stated more than 61 percent of their employees lived in Baja California.

The next phase of the survey mosaic will be the at-border survey in which CBA will work with the INS to conduct personal interviews with border crossers driving and walking through the Port of Entry to understand the frequency and purpose of their crossings. CBA should be in the field soon.

The South County Economic Development Council is a nonprofit organization formed in 1989 by a group of South San Diego County's business and community leaders. It is paid for in part by grants from the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego, the county of San Diego and the San Diego Unified Port District.