Cowen: We have $40 billion worth of investment happening in Brownsville right now

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – There are currently $40 billion worth of economic development projects currently underway in the Brownsville area, says the city’s mayor, John Cowen, Jr.

Few areas in the country can boast that, Cowen said, in an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

Asked why there is so much interest in investing in and around Brownsville, Cowen said:

“It’s based on our strategic location. We are an international city. We have six ways to transport goods internationally. We have a great workforce, a young workforce, a lot of open land, and we’re in a very fast growing binational area.

Cowen continued: “There are 3.5 million people on both sides of the river within a 60 miles radius. A lot of people don’t realize that, and the opportunity that we have here, to be able to take advantage of what’s happening in Texas and in northern Mexico. 

“We have probably $40 billion of projects just in the Brownsville area. With the Port (of Brownsville), SpaceX and in (the city of) Brownsville, there’s no place in the country that has that. So, I think that is a testament to our leadership and to our workforce.”

Cowen made his comments immediately following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the eagerly anticipated Greater Brownsville Tech District. The huge new industrial park is being developed by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) on FM 511 between Old Alice Road and Paredes Line Road. 

When fully built out the park will cover 770 acres. But the build out will be done in phases. The first phase will see 13 lots built, which, combined, will provide 1.3 million square feet of industrial space. City leaders expect the park to be of particular interest to the Space sector, along with Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, and even AI.

“This is a great day to be in Brownsville with our groundbreaking here at Greater Brownsville Tech Park, phase one,” Cowen said, proudly. “It’s 770 acres of industrial property that we have to develop. Obviously, that’s an incredible amount of infrastructure that we need to bring to this area. But Phase One is 86 acres comprising 13 lots and 1.3 million square feet of industrial space.”

Cowen said the new park is needed because Brownsville is running out of industrial space. He said GBIC already has letters of intent for three quarters of phase one of the tech park.

“This is part of the vision, to make sure that this growth that we’re seeing happens in Brownsville to benefit Brownsville residents,” Cowen said. 

“Three quarters of Phase One, we already have letters of intent for. There’s a lot of interest, and they (GBIC) are already starting to work on Phase Two to make sure that we can keep up with this growth trajectory that we have currently.”

Cowen said he is getting nothing but positive feedback as he speaks about Brownsville around the country and in Mexico. 

“When I travel to other cities, people know about Brownsville for what’s happening here currently, which is a great feeling; that the message is resonating. We are receiving calls and visits from people that want to be a part of this growth.”

Asked if there was anything else he would like to add, Cowen said: “I just think it’s part of my vision as mayor to create private investment here. And that will create further economic opportunities and quality of life for our residents. It is happening in real time.”

Editor’s Note: Here is a video recording of the Guardian’s interview with Mayor Cowen:

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