Vol. 9, No. 7 December 2024

Economic Engine: Port of Brownsville's

Impact Hits Record $12 Billion

The Port of Brownsville continues to demonstrate its vital role as a leading economic engine for Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

At the Port of Brownsville’s annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held on Dec. 10, Port Director and CEO William Dietrich announced the impressive results of a recent economic impact study conducted by Martin Associates.

According to the report, the Port of Brownsville generated $12 billion in total economic activity in 2023, representing a 400% increase from the last economic impact report featuring data from FY 2018. This remarkable five-year jump is attributed to value-added economic activity, with $10.4 billion reported in 2023, compared to $2 billion in 2018.

In addition to value-added economic output, which includes processing, manufacturing, and distribution related to cargo, other significant financial benefits derived from operations at the port in 2023 include $876.7 million in direct business revenue and $733.2 million of local spending from wages of port-related employees.

"The impact of the Port of Brownsville cannot be understated, the port remains a cornerstone for economic strength for the region and throughout the state of Texas," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "These significant numbers reflect our commitment to fostering job creation, driving industrial growth, and contributing to prosperity for the Rio Grande Valley."

Growing to New Depths

Port of Brownsville Strengthens Global Trade in South Texas

with Channel Deepening Groundbreaking Ceremony

From left to right: Matt Schatzman, NextDecade Chairman and CEO; Ernesto Gutierrez, Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner; John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner; Sergio Tito Lopez, Brownsville Navigation District Vice Chairman; Jaime Pinkham, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works; Esteban Guerra, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman; William Dietrich, Port Director and CEO; John Reed, Brownsville Navigation District Secretary; Col. George H. Walter, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division Commander; and David Keane, NextDecade Senior Vice President Policy & Corporate Affairs.

Signaling a major turning point in the Port of Brownsville’s 88-year history, the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Dec. 6, held a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Channel Improvement Project.

The transformative project will deepen the 17-mile-long Brownsville Ship Channel from 42 feet to 52 feet, improving navigational safety and enabling larger commercial vessels to access South Texas.

"The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project is paramount to the Port of Brownsville’s continued success. We are moving forward to enhance the navigational safety of the channel while securing our standing in the global marketplace," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "The BND is proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NextDecade to ensure lasting economic benefits and opportunities for families in the Rio Grande Valley."

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra, left, presents the 2024 Chairman's Award to Ricardo Viejo García, from Cementos Tudela Veguín, parent company of Texan Cement, at the annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held Dec. 10, at the Ambassador Event Center in Brownsville, Texas.

Texan Cement

Honored with 2024 Chairman’s Award

The Port of Brownsville proudly announced Texan Cement as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Chairman’s Award Dec. 10.

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra presented the award to Ricardo Viejo García from Cementos Tudela Veguín, parent company of Texan Cement, at the annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held at the Ambassador Event Center in Brownsville, Texas.

This accolade recognizes exceptional companies that exemplify the Port of Brownsville’s core values of good corporate citizenship, economic development, safety, and job creation.

"Texan Cement has demonstrated remarkable leadership in the construction and infrastructure sectors while significantly contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Rio Grande Valley," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "Their investments and commitment to sustainability are paving the way for a brighter future for our community."

TSTC, Bechtel Partner

to Employ NCCER

Basic Rigger Grads

Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department recently partnered with engineering, construction and project management company Bechtel, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corp. and Workforce Solutions Cameron to allow graduates from TSTC’s four-week, 140-hour NCCER Basic Rigger program the opportunity to apply for rigger positions on the Rio Grande LNG projects being constructed by Bechtel at the Port of Brownsville.

"We are thrilled to announce an expanded partnership with TSTC, which includes a $15,000 donation of tools to support the development and launch of the NCCER Basic Rigger program in their Workforce Training department," said Scott Osborne, senior project manager for Bechtel.

"Investing in workforce development is crucial for enhancing the skills of individuals in our Rio Grande Valley community. We are dedicated to providing expert knowledge and guidance for the program’s curriculum and instructors. We look forward to witnessing the students thrive and advance in their careers."

Port Abilities: Rock Solid Progress

The Port of Brownsville received 31,000 metric tons of armor stones aboard the M/V Poland Pearl from the Bahamas.

Unloaded by DIX Shipping, the stones will be used for stabilizing dredge placement areas at the port. This is part of the Brazos Island Harbor Channel deepening project, which will deepen the Brownsville Ship Channel from 42 feet to 52 feet.

The BIH project will improve navigation safety and further increase the port’s capabilities, allowing existing industries in the Rio Grande Valley to continue expanding while also attracting new economic opportunities for the region.

ABOUT PORT ABILITIES

Port Abilities is a video series produced by the Port of Brownsville highlighting the seamless capabilities of the port's marine terminals serving industries worldwide.

Port Delivers

Christmas Cheer

The Port of Brownsville held the Holiday Harbor Celebration, where toys collected from the annual Christmas toy drive were delivered to three local non-profit organizations: Children's Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Friendship of Women, and Proyecto Juan Diego.

We thank the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners, OmniTRAX/BRG, Ten08 Energy, and port staff for their support. Your generosity and holiday spirit have brought joy and warmth to our community.

Port Volunteers Make a Difference at 2024 H-E-B Feast of Sharing

Port of Brownsville staff volunteered at the 2024 H-E-B Feast of Sharing, held Thursday, Nov.7, at the Texas Southmost College Jacob Brown Auditorium in downtown Brownsville, Texas. With helping hands and grateful hearts, port staff cheerfully assembled turkey plates complete with sides and pumpkin pie.

The Port of Brownsville is proud to serve and support the communities of the Rio Grande Valley.

BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Esteban Guerra

Chairman

Sergio Tito Lopez

Vice Chairman

John Reed

Secretary

John Wood

Commissioner

Ernesto Gutierrez

Commissioner

PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION

William Dietrich

Port Director & CEO

Port Administration

Ph: 956.831.4592 / 800.378.5395

Fax: 956.831.5006

www.portofbrownsville.com

CALENDAR

December 18

BND Board Meeting

December 24

Christmas Eve - Port offices closed Dec. 24-25

January 1

New Year’s Day - Port offices closed

January 6

Epiphany Day

The US-Mexico Border’s Maritime Gateway

Editor’s Note: This article is originally featured at riograndeguardian.com

Understanding North American trade dynamics requires looking beyond traditional land ports of entry to recognize the crucial role of maritime gateways in regional integration. A recent visit to the Port of Brownsville revealed an example of how strategic infrastructure can bridge continental trade and global supply chains.

Tucked away in South Texas, the Port of Brownsville might be one of North America’s most strategically positioned seaports. A gateway connecting sea to land, it demonstrates how regional trade integration functions as a complex ecosystem in which seaports and land ports create powerful synergies for North American commerce.

As the only deep-water seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border, it occupies a strategic position that no other port can match, enabling cargo to move seamlessly from ship to truck to Mexico – all within a single logistics ecosystem.

High school students visited the Port of Brownsville Nov. 2, for leadership training hosted by the Port of Brownsville Police and Security Department in partnership with U.S. Border Patrol.

Port PD Helps Students Develop R.E.A.L. Skills

The Port of Brownsville Police and Security Department, in partnership with U.S. Border Patrol, recently held a successful R.E.A.L. (Rewarding Education, Attitude, and Leadership) Mission Program event on Nov. 2, 2024, at the Port of Brownsville.

This program, led by Port Officers Ivan Botello and Victor Gunnoe, provided local youth with an opportunity to engage in interactive activities focused on education, positive attitude, and leadership skills.