Briones: GBIC is making progress with its Greater Brownsville Tech District

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jerry Briones, deputy executive director of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, says his group is making good progress in developing its new industrial park.

“We just turned in our master plan and plat to the city (of Brownsville) yesterday for phase one at our industrial park, which is the Greater Brownsville Tech District,” Briones told the Rio Grande Guardian.

“The city will take about 30 or so days to write up their comments and make any changes that they need us to make. And then, hopefully, after 60 days we’ll get something that we can start moving forward with.”

GBIC’s development of the Greater Brownsville Tech District comes at a time when Brownsville is being recognized as an emerging tech hub. Secure Data Recovery recently released a report titled America’s Next Tech Hubs – and Brownsville featured prominently. Data for the report was based on tech growth between 2018 and 2023. Looking at the Top Ten Emerging High-Tech Metros, Brownsville came in No. 2.

Briones said the new industrial park comprises 730 acres, with phase one covering 86 acres.

Asked how much interest there is for the new industrial park, Briones said:

“We’ve got interest. I think we’ve got a couple of challenges we need to overcome. Obviously, time – timing is essence for companies. So, we’re trying to see how fast we can gear up and get to where we can start going vertical. That’s something we’re still working on.”

As GBIC develops its new industrial park, the Port of Brownsville is developing its 11-acre industrial park. Asked if the Port and GBIC are competing for the same business, Briones said:

“I think we both feel very strongly that there’s enough business for everyone. I get calls that I know I can’t do in Brownsville, and I refer them over to the Port. The Port will sometimes ask me for support on a project that they’re doing. So, I don’t see it at all as competitive. I see it as a win-win in and the obvious point to that is a lot of their employees live in Brownsville and spend their money in Brownsville. This is a good thing. So, there’s definitely no competition between us.”

Asked what impact SpaceX is having on GBIC’s work, Briones said:

“Every time SpaceX has a launch, Brownsville is in the news. I know it’s Boca Chica, but they know where Boca Chica is. So, it’s good for us. too. Have we got companies that are interested because SpaceX is here? Yes, obviously. But they’re all just inquiries. Until we see something permanent, it’s hard for me to say, oh yeah, for sure, this is something that SpaceX drew into Brownsville. But the fact that they’re here, that they generate interest, no doubt. No doubt about it.”

The Guardian interviewed Briones during the Brownsville leg of a two-day tour by 45-plus business owners from southern Mexico. The tour, organized jointly by the McAllen chapter of Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos and COMCE Sur, took in visits to McAllen, Pharr and the Port of Brownsville also.

During the visit, Briones participated in a panel discussion on economic development opportunities with Ramiro Aleman, economic development director for Cameron County, and Rick Carrera, economic development director for the Council on South Texas Economic Progress. The event was held at the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization in downtown Brownsville.

Asked what the key points were that he wanted to get across to the Mexican delegation, Briones said:

“Number one, obviously, that Brownsville is open for business. We have a lot of good resources. We have a lot of good industries. We have stable industries that are already here. Between the city and ourselves, GBIC and BCIC and UTRGV and, obviously, now Ramiro (Aleman) with Cameron County, there’s a lot of synergies that we can bring to the table together.”

BCIC stands for Brownsville Community Improvements Corporation. UTRGV stands for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

“Companies that are looking to come into Brownsville, into the Valley, I think would be wise to at least explore (what we have to offer). Whether or not it (Brownsville) is a good fit, that’s a different story. But at least explore your options.”

Asked what feedback he received following the panel discussion, Briones said:

“I have five people right now that want my business card, that want to talk to me, that want to know more about Brownsville. (I say) hey, do you want me to send you some information? (Their answers is) yes, please send me some information. (And they ask) when are you going to our part of the of Mexico? So, definitely, I think this (event) has been great for GBIC.”

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