Port of Brownsville Earns Prestigious MarCom Award for 2017 Port Directory

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The Port of Brownsville directory was recognized with a 2017 Platinum MarCom Award for its inaugural port directory in the government publications category.

MarCom Awards, an international creative competition, recognizes the outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of marketing and communications materials and programs. Each year, the MarCom Awards receives more than 6,000 entries from across the globe, and entries are judged by industry professionals.

“On behalf of the commissioners, I congratulate the port’s marketing and communications team for their hard work and creativity, and for bringing a new level of transparency to the Port of Brownsville. This small group of individuals consistently demonstrate a high standard of excellence,” said John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District C

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Port of Brownsville and Union Pacific Culminate Switchyard Relocation Project

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – On Dec. 28, 2017, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Wood signed final paperwork with Union Pacific Railroad to officially culminate a 44-year project to improve the region’s economic vitality, environment and social benefits by relocating two outdated railroad switchyards from downtown Brownsville to areas closer to the Port of Brownsville.

The benefit to regional residents is fewer railroad crossings. The advantage to the port is greater efficiencies for its growing number of railroad customers with increased volumes and speed of service. Now rail customers of the port and Union Pacific routinely partner with the Rio Grande International Railway to move tens of thousands of rail cars annually throughout the United States and into Mexico.

The Brownsville/Matamoros Railroad Relocation Demonstration Project began as part of the Federal Highway Act

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Officials plan to break ground on East Loop project

BY NADIA TAMEZ-ROBLEDO/ The Brownsville Herald

Article published January 14, 2018

After more than three decades of incremental progress, Cameron County and Brownsville officials anticipate the first phase of a road construction project to divert commercial vehicle traffic away from International Boulevard will break ground this year.

Pete Sepulveda Jr., executive director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, said his office is working with the Port of Brownsville on a wetland mitigation plan for a two-mile stretch of road that will connect State Highway 4 to docks on Ostos Road.

Once approved by state and federal agencies, he said, construction of the road will take about one year and $10 million.

The port connector is the first phase of the larger State Highway 32 construction project, also called the East Loop, which will route commerc

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Registration Open for Annual Port of Brownsville 5K1M Dock Dash

Pre-registration is open for the annual Port of Brownsville 5K1M Dock Dash scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018.

The family-friendly run/walk event for adults and kids is free of charge. Pre-registered participants will receive a t-shirt while supplies last.

The event is also the mid-point weigh-in for participants of The Challenge-RGV, an initiative by the University of Texas School of Public Health encouraging local residents to increase physical activity and live a healthy life.

To register, download form 2018 5K1M Dock Dash Registration Form and submit to info@portofbrownsville.com, or via fax to (956) 831-5006.

 

 

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Port of Brownsville Inaugural Chairman’s Award Presented to International Shipbreaking Ltd.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—The Port of Brownsville today presented International Shipbreaking Ltd. (ISL) with its inaugural Chairman’s Award in recognition of the company’s outstanding commitment to community, economic development, and representation of the port to trading partners around the world.

The Chairman’s Award will be an annual award to highlight the achievements of port tenants in the areas of business growth, leadership, job creation, customer service, innovation, safety, and community involvement.

“The Port of Brownsville succeeds when its tenants and users succeed,” said Brownsville Navigation Chairman John Wood. “The Chairman’s Award is an expression of appreciation and support for the efforts that our tenants put forth to make the port the leading economic engine of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Chairman Wood continued, “ISL demonstrates a strong sense of p

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Port of Brownsville Foreign Trade Zone Ranks Second in the U.S. for Exports

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (FTZ) at the Port of Brownsville ranks second in the nation for the value of exports during 2016, according to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board’s annual report to Congress released Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.

Dorchester County, South Carolina, and Miami-Dade County, Florida are ranked first and third, respectively.

The port’s FTZ reported more than $2.8 billion in exported goods in 2016. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranked 25th nationally for the value of imports totaling more than $2.5 billion. The Port of Brownsville FTZ has consistently ranked in the top five nationally since 2012, and this marks the second time in two years that it achieved the nation’s number two ranking.

“The Port of Brownsville has made great strides in creating a sustainable economic engine,” said John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District Chair

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GFOA Recognizes Port of Brownsville for Excellence in Financial Reporting

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — For the sixth consecutive year, the Brownsville Navigation District has received the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting for its 2016 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

“The Brownsville Navigation District financial team is committed to full financial transparency, as are the BND commissioners,” said John Wood, BND chairman. “We commend the team on their commitment to the district’s taxpayers and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented the award to Stephen B. Fitzgibbons, Port of Brownsville director of finance.

“I am proud to work alongside a team of professionals dedicated to the highest principles of government accounting,” said Mr. Fitzgibbons.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, a

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Port of Brownsville Signs MOU with Cameron County to Grow Economic Opportunity

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — As a catalyst for economic development and job growth, the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Board of Commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cameron County to work together on business expansion opportunities.

“The Port of Brownsville and Cameron County have always enjoyed a cooperative working relationship when it comes to growing and strengthening the local and regional economy,” said John Wood, BND Chairman. “Activity at the Port of Brownsville has a $2 billion economic impact regionally, and Cameron County is working diligently to attract capital investment and industry. It makes sense that we would combine our efforts to improve the county’s economic viability.”

A 2015 economic impact study by Martin Associates, revealed activity at the port has an economic impact of $3 billion to the state of Texas.

Cameron County Judge Eddi

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Port of Brownsville’s infrastructure development will strengthen its position

By MANIK MEHTA/American Journal of Transportation

Article published September 11, 2017

 

Port of Brownsville, located on the U.S.-Mexican border, is embarking on a $250 million infrastructure project that will deepen the port’s channel to 52 feet. The added depth is needed to keep Brownsville competitive and growing.

The Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas, perched on the U.S.-Mexican borders, has deep interest in the flourishing trade between the United States and Mexico, and beyond in Central America, with the port having evolved to become a major trade channel between Texas and Mexico.

In order to further strengthen its position, the Port of Brownsville has embarked on major infrastructure development.  The port is planning to increase its depth from 42 to 52 feet following the U.S. Congress’ approval in 2016.

“After years of plan

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Port of Brownsville to Recognize Drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept. 10-16

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—The Port of Brownsville, along with the entire U.S. trucking industry, is beginning a weeklong recognition of professional truck drivers who deliver America’s freight safely and securely every day.

During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 10-16, truck drivers entering the port will receive tokens of appreciation from International Shipbreaking Ltd., Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority and the port.

“This year, the Port of Brownsville is on track to see almost 90,000 truck movements,” said John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District chairman. “Our nation’s truck drivers deliver all of life’s essential goods like food and clothing as well as cargo used to build the infrastructure in our communities. And, U.S. ports are a dominant transfer point of those commodities and goods.”

According to the American Trucking Association,

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Port of Brownsville Signs MOU with Mission EDC for Regional Economic Development

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—In its ongoing commitment to job creation and regional economic growth, the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Board of Commissioners entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to collaborate on international trade opportunities with Mexico and other development projects. Through this alliance, both entities will work to connect and grow business between the Mission Business Park and the Port of Brownsville.

“The Port of Brownsville is one of the largest economic engines in the Rio Grande Valley,” said John Wood, BND Chairman. “As a link to the global marketplace, the port is well-positioned to assist in regional economic development. This agreement with Mission EDC further enhances our pledge to assist where we can to affect positive change for the Valley and its residents.”

A 2015 economic

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Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase

The Brownsville Navigation District of Cameron County, Texas, will hold two public hearings on a proposal to increase total tax revenue from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 99.32 percent. (percentage by which proposed tax rate exceeds lower of rollback tax rate or effective tax rate calculated under Chapter 27, Tax Code).  Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

The first public hearing will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 5:30 PM at 2993 N. Indiana Ave., Suite B, Brownsville, Texas.

The second public hearing will be held on Wednesday

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Port of Brownsville Debuts New Directory

The Port of Brownsville launched its newest marketing and communications tool, the 2017 Port of Brownsville Directory, a comprehensive annual guide featuring in-depth articles, facts and details about the port and related industries.

The full color, 82-page publication serves as a useful guide for prospective clients looking to establish business opportunities in the region and for the community at large to learn more about the port’s role as a vital economic engine of the Rio Grande Valley.

The publication includes a detailed 4-page map of the port’s facilities highlighting tenants, docks, sheds, patios and other important assets. The business directory contains almost 300 local, regional, state, national and international businesses listed in 63 different categories.

The directory is distributed to industry related companies and associations, area economic development corpo

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Maritime Security Exercise Conducted at Port of Brownsville

The United States Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi, alongside the Port of Brownsville and other federal, state and local agencies, conducted an Area Maritime Security Training and Exercise Program (AMSTEP) table-top exercise in Brownsville on July 12.

This exercise, held at Keppel AmFELS facilities, brought together over 20 federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency management partner agencies in addition to regulated oil, natural gas, and chemical facilities to test the South Texas Area Maritime Security Plan and assess the response to security incidents.

“This exercise is very important because it brings all of us together at the local, state, and federal levels to talk about processes and procedures on how to elevate maritime security levels,” said Captain Tony Hahn, Sector Commander of Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi.

“We had incredible participation fr

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Gulf Shrimp Season Under Way

The Texas Shrimp Association kicked off this year’s Gulf shrimp season with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet on July 10, at the Port of Brownsville Fishing Harbor. The commercial Gulf shrimp season officially began on July 15.

Father Mark Watters delivered a powerful sermon and asked the dozens of people gathered at the ceremony to pray for a bountiful harvest this season and for the well-being of all shrimpers while they are out at sea. Among those present at the event were State Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, port officials, local shrimpers and representatives from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

This year’s blessing comes at a challenging time for Rio Grande Valley shrimpers who are facing a shortage of workers to go on the boats and help harvest shrimp due to the lack of H-2B worker visas issued by the federal government. There are approximately 180 shrimp boa

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