Study: Port of Brownsville’s impact hits record $12 billion

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Brownsville Navigation District has made public a new economic impact study that highlights the Port of Brownsville’s continued growth.

The study, conducted by Martin Associates, shows the port handling a record 17.8 million tons of cargo in 2023. Its overall economic impact now stands at a record $12 billion. That is a 400 percent increase on fiscal year 2018.

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra said the study demonstrates the port’s vital role as a leading economic engine for Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

“The impact of the Port of Brownsville cannot be understated, the port remains a cornerstone for economic strength for region and throughout the state of Texas,” Guerra said. “These significant numbers reflect our commitment to fostering job creation, driving industrial growth, and contributing to prosperity for the Rio Grande Valley.”

Guerra said the five-year jump in economic impact is attributed to value-added economic activity, with $10.4 billion reported in 2023, compared to $2 billion in 2018.

Guerra said the value-added economic output includes processing, manufacturing, and distribution related to cargo. Other significant financial benefits, he said, derived from operations at the port in 2023. He said these include $876.7 million in direct business revenue and $733.2 million of local spending via the wages of port-related employees.

Port of Brownsville CEO William Dietrich said activity at the port is responsible for 66,212 jobs across the state, with personal income and local consumption expenditures from such employment totaling $3.8 billion. Direct, indirect, and induced jobs for the Rio Grande Valley totaled 10,028, Dietrich said, bringing $1.1 billion to the local economy. State and local tax revenues attributed to the port were $285.3 million, with $79.6 million generated directly by maritime activities, he pointed out.

“The Port of Brownsville’s achievements are the result of dedicated efforts to foster a strong foundation for economic activity and industrial development,” Dietrich said. “By prioritizing strategic infrastructure investments and nurturing partnerships, we’ve created a dynamic environment that attracts business and drives innovation.”

A press release issued by BND said: “The Port of Brownsville is a major center for industrial development with over 230 companies doing business at the port. Main industries driving the port’s economic impact include steel, petroleum products, and other breakbulk commodities. In 2023, the port reported a record 17.8 million tons of total cargo movement, with 12.3 million tons of waterborne and 5.5 million tons of non-waterborne cargo.”

In a recent interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Dietrich said the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement project is key to shaping the port’s future. The infrastructure project aims to deepen the ship channel from 42 feet to 52 feet. Another top infrastructure project is development of a 118-acre shovel-ready business park.

According to the BND press release, the Martin Associates analysis was based on interviews from firms providing services to the cargo and vessels handled in marine terminals at the Port of Brownsville. Impacts measured included jobs, employee earnings, business revenue and state and local taxes.

Editor’s Note: Click here to read the Martin Associates study.

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