Local leaders discuss SpaceX economic impact on RGV

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce hosted a community luncheon to discuss the economic impacts of SpaceX and U.S.-Mexico relations.

A panel of experts and local leaders discussed how the future of SpaceX will lead to growth across South Texas.

Brownsville City Commissioner Tino Villarreal said he wants Brownsville to be at the forefront of creating more opportunities through a partnership with SpaceX, adding that improving infrastructure will be key to maintaining growth.

"What we’re trying to look at right now is Brownsville’s infrastructure," Villarreal said. "I think that the most important thing is getting our roads widened and expanded for what we see as growth and potential growth.”

Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders was the keynote speaker of the event. She discussed the upcoming plans to create more job opportunities through SpaceX as well as the ways that SpaceX launches will shine a spotlight on the Rio Grande Valley.

Lueders was one of five members of a panel discussion led by Texas Association of Business CEO and President Glenn Hamer. Others who took part in the panel include Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez, Executive Director of Texas Space Commission Norman Roy Garza Jr. and Mexican Consul Judith Arrieta Munguia.

Ramirez said SpaceX has provided local community members with the opportunity to pursue more careers in the Rio Grande Valley.

“In the past, historically, certain wage-earners to make a better wage they would leave…now they can actually stay at home, live here, work here, raise their families here and not have to leave and I think that’s the story we should be telling," Ramirez said.