Cowen: Brownsville is the economic driver of the Rio Grande Valley

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Brownsville is the economic driver of the Rio Grande Valley, the state of Texas, and the nation, says its mayor, John Cowen, Jr.

“The same indicators that measure success across top U.S. cities are now reflecting what we’ve always known: Brownsville is a powerhouse,” Cowen said, on a posting on Facebook.

“We are the economic driver of the Rio Grande Valley, the State of Texas, and the nation.”

Cowen added: “Our growth is real, and our impact is national. The milestones speak for themselves, and we’re just getting started.”

Cowen made his comments in response to a new video produced by the City of Brownsville’s Communications and Media Department. He congratulated the department for the “great video.”

The commentary accompanying the video states:

“The City of Brownsville’s transformation isn’t just a strategy. It’s our heartbeat.

“In 2024 we proved that when we move as one city, there are no limits to what we can achieve. 

“This year, we didn’t just set records. We rewrote the entire playbook for what’s possible in a border city dedicated to innovation, economic mobility and community driven growth. 

“Economic mobility was at the forefront of Brownsville ensuring that each generation does better than the one before. Brownsville has seen an increase of 6.7% in intergenerational mobility. That’s the highest household income growth for low income families in the nation. 

“Our job market is booming with a 5.4% increase in employment and an 18.8% wage increase in the private sector. We are creating jobs in manufacturing, health care, tourism and aerospace, ensuring a strong, diverse economy. 

“SpaceX has become a transformative force in Brownsville, with its $3.2 billion investment at Starbase. Since 2014 the company has created more than 3,400 direct jobs and an additional 21,000 indirect jobs. The tourism impact alone is expected to surpass $99 million in 2025.

“As part of a $24 billion investment at the Port of Brownsville, NextDecade’s Rio Grande Liquefied Natural Gas, Texas Liquefied Natural Gas and Bechtel Corporation are presently responsible for creating more than 2,000 new jobs to date. And they will continue to accelerate employment growth within approximate 6,000 more new jobs in the future. 

“In a historic achievement for Brownsville, the S&P Global ratings upgraded our city’s long term credit rating from a double A rating to a double A plus with a stable outlook, which highlights the municipality’s robust financial health and strong economic performance. 

“We were also able to reduce the property tax rate for residents for the fourth consecutive year. The property tax rate has been set at .607, a reduction of eight cents from the previous year. This continued tax reduction, paired with a balanced budget of $133.2 million, demonstrates our commitment to long term fiscal stability and the well-being of our residents and businesses. 

“These milestones are a collective testament to the resilience hard work and vision of our community.”

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