Page 3 – Port of Brownsville

Recognizing Achievement: Port of Brownsville Awards $1,000 Scholarships to High School Graduates

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, April 26, 2024 – Thirty-two graduating high school seniors have been selected to receive the Brownsville Navigation District’s (BND) 2024 Port of Brownsville Scholarship.

The recipients will each receive $1,000 scholarships upon enrollment in a college, university, or technical school. The scholarship winners – selected for their academic performance, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and work experience, as well as for essays penned as part of their applications – attend 16 public and private high schools located within the navigation district.

“On behalf of the Brownsville Navigation District, I extend my congratulations to these amazing students,” said BND Chairman Esteban Guerra. “We are thrilled to see our local talent move forward to the next chapter in their educational journey. The future of the region rests on the shou

Port of Brownsville Business Park Lands First Tenant

Westa Inc. to Invest $20 Million in State-of-the-Art Flour Mill

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Friday, April 19, 2024 — The Port of Brownsville is proud to announce a ceremonial groundbreaking for its first tenant at the Port of Brownsville Business Park, Westa Inc. The ceremony, held Thursday, April 18, marks a significant milestone in the development of the port’s 118-acre business park.

Westa Inc., a major player in the agricultural industry, will invest $20 million to establish a state-of-the-art wheat flour mill and wheat storage silos at the Port of Brownsville. The company will develop more than 10 acres at the business park, located right at the turning basin of the Brownsville Ship Channel. Once operational, the facility will employ 120 people.

“We are excited to welcome Westa Inc. to the Port of Brownsville Business Park and look

Port Awarded $1.1M for Vessel Suitability and Feasibility Project

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – April 8, 2024 —The Port of Brownsville was recently named the recipient of $1,116,279 in funding from the federal government for its Port of Brownsville Vessel Suitability Analysis and Feasibility project. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced the award Mar. 22, as part of $15,622,100 in Community Project Funding for the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

“By passing this final tranche of long-awaited funding bills, the U.S. House of Representatives has avoided a devastating and unnecessary partial government shutdown and provided vital funding for our region,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez in a press release. “I am proud to deliver millions of dollars to improve roads and drainage, support local law enforcement, and increase economic development in South Texas.”

The Vessel Suitability Analysis and Feasibility project is essential to

BROWNSVILLE, Texas –Tuesday, April 2, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott today joined leaders from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and the Texas A&M University System at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 30,000-square-foot South Texas Workforce Development Project advanced manufacturing training facility at the Port of Brownsville. The center will offer programs provided by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

Given today’s evolving technology, an advance manufacturing workforce is needed in the RGV to adapt to new tools, processes and methodologies. Classrooms and labs in the new facility will provide hands-on instruction and projects in advanced machinery, automation, digital technologies, communications skills, safety protocols, quality control, leadership and more, allowing residents to train and establish careers where they live.

“This n

Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) commemorated 40 years of service to the Port of Brownsville in February. First formed in 1984 by the Brownsville Navigation District, the BRG provides consistent, safe and reliable service to Port of Brownsville users.

“On this landmark 40th anniversary of the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, we pause to honor our rich history of growth, resilience, and partnership,” said BRG President Shariff Gonnella. “This anniversary serves as a pivotal moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team, the trust of our partners, and the support of our community.”

From its modest beginnings with 17 employees, four locomotives, and 33 miles of track, BRG has experienced remarkable growth and success over the past four decades. In 2023, the BRG reported a record of more than 80,000 carloads. Top commoditi

BND, SHSU Partner to Enhance Security

At a regular Board Meeting held Feb. 21, the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners approved a five-year memorandum of understanding between Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice Institute for Homeland Security for education and training services focused on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).

CIP includes proactive activities for protecting critical infrastructures such as the people, physical entities, and cyber systems that are necessary for national security, economic stability, and public safety.

As the leading maritime port for the Rio Grande Valley, the Port of Brownsville is a critical infrastructure asset vital in the facilitation of global trade. Activity at the port is responsible for adding more than $2 billion to the regional economy, $3 billion to the Texas economy, and the creation of more than 51,000 jobs statewide.

The tra

Building the Future: Port of Brownsville’s Business Park Takes Shape

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Only months after the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners (BND) held a groundbreaking for the Port of Brownsville’s business park in June, prospective businesses are preparing to negotiate lease agreements with the port.

At a regular board meeting held Feb. 7, the BND Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve leasing rates for the business park. The competitive rates are aimed at attracting sustainable, high-quality companies to the port, ensuring its long-term success.

Hard at work, port staff from the Engineering and Facilities Maintenance departments have completed several construction milestones in-house for the 118-acre business park, including leveling the site and installing water/sewage pipes and fire hydrants.

The Port of Brownsville’s 40,000 acres make it a viable bu

Staying the Course, Looking Ahead: William Dietrich Assumes Interim Director Role at the Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — January 9, 2024 – Closing out the year on significant milestones, the Port of Brownsville begins 2024 with Port Chief of Police William Dietrich succeeding former Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano as Interim Port Director.

The Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners began a national search for a new port director and CEO in August and named Dietrich as interim in December while the search continues.

“Building upon record achievements, the Port of Brownsville is on the path for tremendous growth,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. “As the search for a port director continues, we are confident Mr. Dietrich will leverage his experience to steer the port and our region forward in the interim,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra.

A U.S. Army veteran, Dietrich served the Brow

Port of Brownsville Recognizes Norma Torres with 2023 Chairman’s Award

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — December 15, 2023 –Former Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) President & COO Norma Torres Norma Torres received the prestigious 2023 Chairman’s Award in recognition of her exemplary career during the Port of Brownsville’s Annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held Dec. 14, at the Ambassador Event Center.

The event highlights the achievements of port tenants and customers throughout the year.

After working as a bookkeeper at the port, Torres joined the BRG in 1989 as a contract laborer. In 2001, she assumed leadership of the BRG becoming the first female president of a Texas shortline railroad. Under her direction, the BRG experienced remarkable growth, from 26,000 annual railcar loads in 2001 to more than 85,000 estimated in 2023. Since 2019, annual volumes have grown exponentially, a trend that is expected to continue.

Torr

Closing Gaps in Cross Border Trade

As the only deepwater seaport located directly on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Port of Brownsville is strategically positioned to efficiently serve and connect industries across North America and beyond.

The port is a prominent shipper of steel, refined petroleum products, grain, aggregates, among other products supporting diverse industries located in 12 Mexican states.

The movement of cargo across the border in both directions is made easy thanks to the port’s direct connectivity to USMCA interstate corridors, offering a fast route to non-congested international bridge crossings. The Port of Brownsville claims conceptual ownership of Texas’ first overweight corridor. Trucks crossing the border in either direction utilizing the specially designated route to or from the port, can load to the legal weight limits of Mexico – 125,000 pounds (45,000 pounds heavier than domestic li

A Central Hub of Commerce and Sustainable Growth

The Port of Brownsville has been a driving force for the Rio Grande Valley’s economy with impacts reaching far across the Lone Star State. In the last decade, the port has made significant strides, bolstering its position as a crucial center for commerce and a catalyst for regional growth. With major infrastructure improvements, increased capabilities, and a strong commitment to sustainability, the Port of Brownsville is leading the way in the maritime industry and a symbol of progress.

Thanks to the port’s keen logistical network, the movement of waterborne cargo at the port has continued to rise. According to the. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ the port rocketed to 55th position out of 150 maritime ports nationwide for the movement of waterborne cargo in 2021, ahead of its 66th place in 2020.

The upward trend continues as more than 15.2 million tons of diverse cargo moved

Port of Brownsville Receives $11.5 Million Grant for Reconstruction of Cargo Dock 3

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – October 6, 2023 — The Port of Brownsville’s Cargo Dock 3 reconstruction project has secured an $11.5 million grant under the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) new Maritime Infrastructure Program.

On Sept. 28, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a historic $240 million in funding for Texas ports to help increase trade, improve safety, and provide a more robust supply chain for the state and the nation. The Port of Brownsville’s Cargo Dock 3 project is one of 31 projects selected to receive funding.

“We applaud our state leaders for their support and commitment to strengthen the Port of Brownsville as a leading maritime port,” said Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano. “It is essential to provide the highest quality infrastructure for our customers and tenants to maintain our status as a strategic asset for t

Modern Marvels: Legacy Industries Repurpose the Past and Build the Present

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Tuesday, September 5, 2023 – Two containerships crossing paths at the Port of Brownsville’s 17-mile-long ship channel in June illustrated the modern-day ship life cycle. As Pasha Hawaii’s newly completed MV Janet Marie containership docked at Seatrium AmFELS’ shipyard, Pasha’s retired SV Horizon Pacific containership was drawn by Signet Maritime’s tugboats to berth at SA Recycling/SteelCoast for recycling.

Known as the premier ship recycling port of the United States, securing 85% of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), and U.S. Navy contracts, the Port of Brownsville is also the primary shipbuilding port of Texas. In 2022, one of the three major ship recycling companies at the port, SteelCoast merged with SA Recycling to become the company’s only ship recycling facility in the United States,

A Magnet for Trade: FTZ No. 62 Tops $10B for Value of Imports and Exports

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Friday, September 1, 2023 – The Port of Brownsville’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (FTZ) saw a boost in the value of goods transported in 2022, reaching a record total of $13.9 billion in exports and imports – a notable increase from the $9.7 billion recorded in 2021.

The U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s 2022 report to Congress, published Aug. 22, revealed that FTZ No. 62 held its position as the second highest-ranking FTZ in the country for the value of exported commodities. The export value in 2022 was over $8.2 billion, continuing an upward trajectory from the $5.2 billion reported in 2021. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranked 20th in the nation for imports, with a notable value of $5.7 billion.

“Our foreign trade zone serves as a crucial connection for manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers, leading the charge in international trade for th

Notice of Meeting to Vote on Tax Rate

A tax rate of $0.025589 per $100 valuation has been proposed by the governing body of BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT.

PROPOSED TAX RATE $0.025589 per $100 NO-NEW-REVENUE TAX RATE $0.028039 per $100 VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE $0.025589 per $100

The no-new-revenue tax rate is the tax rate for the 2023 tax year that will raise the same amount of property tax revenue for BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT from the same properties in both the 2022 tax year and the 2023 tax year.

The voter-approval rate is the highest tax rate that BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate.

The proposed tax rate is not greater than the no-new-revenue tax rate. This means that BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT is not proposing to