Peña: Building a Brownsville where families, entrepreneurs and future generations can truly thrive

Brownsville has always been defined by its people – resilient, creative and proud of where we come from and where we’re headed. 

At Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, we’re here to nurture that spirit, create opportunities, and build a Brownsville where families, entrepreneurs and future generations can truly thrive. 

We’ve seen our downtown bloom again as small businesses rise and our neighborhoods come alive with art, culture and energy. This momentum isn’t accidental – it results from years of hard work, collaboration and belief in what’s possible when we invest in ourselves. 

Our 2025-2029, Strategic Plan is a reflection of that belief. Shaped by the voices of our community members, this plan lays out where we’re going next. 

Together we will:

• Enhance public spaces, parks and recreational infrastructure.

• Expand opportunity for entrepreneurs and small businesses, the foundation of our economy.

• Accelerate downtown revitalization with mixed use development and cultural activation.

• Foster cross-sector partnerships that strengthen workforce, financial access and community well-being.

• Build the internal capacity to serve our community more effectively and sustainably. 

This plan isn’t just a set of goals – it’s a shared vision for the city we all love. I see it every day in the people I meet, the entrepreneur with a dream, the family enjoying their neighborhood park, the artist painting the mural downtown. That’s the Brownsville we’re building. 

I hope you’ll join us in making it real. 

Warm regards,

Cori Peña

President & CEO

Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. 

Editor’s Note: The above commentary was provided by Cori Peña, president and CEO of Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, as the President’s Message in the group’s new 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. It is replicated in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.

About Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development corporation. It is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting strategic projects, and cultivating partnerships that support Brownsville’s thriving and vibrant community. BCIC operates under four core pillars. The first is Community Development, achieved through initiatives like the BIG Grants, which support the revitalization and preservation of Historical Downtown Brownsville, and the Quality of Life Grants, designed to enhance the community’s well-being. These grants fund  projects that create welcoming and inclusive spaces, improve amenities, and promote  activities that benefit residents and visitors. The second pillar is Finance Programs, which support local small businesses by providing financial resources to help them start or expand. This, in turn, creates jobs with livable wages, contributing to the overall economic stability of the region. The third pillar is Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where BCICsupports the entrepreneurial journey with incubation, acceleration, and continuous assistance. Lastly, BCIC’s Marketing and Communications efforts drive public engagement by amplifying the impact of programs, fostering community pride, and promoting Brownsville as an attractive hub for living, working, and investing. For more information, visit www.brownsvillecic.com. 

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