Ramirez discusses Brownsville’s growth and upcoming projects

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The future of the City of Brownsville looks as bright as a super sunny day and it will continue like that for some time.

This is the view of City Manager Helen Ramirez. During a “Friday with the City” event held Friday, Jan. 24 at the City of Brownsville Communications and Marketing Department/Convention and Visitors Bureau Complex,  Ramirez gave a presentation to highlight the advances achieved in 2024 as well as what is coming up for this year.

The event was co-hosted by the City of Brownsville and Brownsville Chamber of Commerce with sponsorship by Selrico Services.

Ramirez said the growth of the Rio Grande Valley’s largest municipality isn’t slowing down at all.

“A little bit of pain for a lot of gain,” she said, referring to the works of infrastructure taking place citywide. “We have $28.3 million in road improvements for 2025.”

In particular, Ramirez said the redoing of Old Highway 77 from FM 802 to Morrison Road – a $13 million road project announced last year that kicked off this month.

Ramirez spoke about job growth, higher wages, and increases in sale tax revenues.

“That allows us to borrow money at the region’s growth,” she said. “The city has allocated $110 million in capital improvements projects for 2025.”

Ramirez credited the success to the city’s workforce, calling the grounds department “diligent.”

Other projects going on include the Samano Building, El Jardin Hotel and the downtown renaissance master plan.

El Jardine, which is one of city’s tallest structures, is a $29.1 million project of the Brownsville Housing Authority.

The Gladys Porter Zoo, a popular facility in the city, is being upgraded and a new zip line is  opening soon.

Ramirez said the city’s employment rate has increased by 5.4 percent and wages have gone up by 18.8 percent.

Two liquefied natural gas projects and SpaceX are contributing as the three companies are investing billions of dollars into the area, the city manager explained.

She said city has opened a senior center and is in the process of looking at creating a new recreation center.

Esmeralda “Esmy” Villarreal, the director of the local chamber of commerce, said Friday’s event was held to let people know what is going on in Brownsville.

“There is no secret what is happening in the city,” she said. “We are one of the fastest growing cities in the country and one of the safest.”

Talking Points

After the event the City of Brownsville’s communications department listed what it considered the highlights from Ramirez’s speech:

• Economic Growth: The SpaceX effect is here! $3B+ investment and 21,000 indirect jobs created, with Brownsville leading as a high-tech manufacturing hub.
• Intergenerational Mobility: Brownsville is #1 in household income increases across generations.
• Infrastructure Improvements: $13M Old Hwy 77 reconstruction and other city-wide enhancements are making our city safer and more connected.
• New Developments: From the Public Safety Center to downtown revitalization, the city’s renaissance is underway.
• Tourism Boost: SpaceX test flights brought $9.5M in tax revenue in just two months!

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