BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Jobs, jobs and more jobs.
Economic development and millions and billions of dollars in investment are taking place all over the city.
Completed, under construction and new projects coming up.
Works of infrastructure, such as making the municipality the most synchronized place when it comes to street lights, improved public utility services and better parks and having a healthier community.
That is how Brownsville mayor John Cowen, Jr., highlighted his latest State of the City address.
“This is prosperity with a purpose,” he said on Wednesday night, March 25, at the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center. “We are writing the next chapter of the history of Brownsville.”
Cowen mentioned the thousands upon thousands of jobs created and the billions of dollars invested by SpaceX and Rio Grande LNG and at the Port of Brownsville.
He also talked about the new Amazon delivery center on FM 511, the city’s new industrial park that is being developed and gave credit to the work of the city’s 1,200 employees.
“There has been a lot of economic development taking place this past year,” he said. “Brownsville is a city with an incredible momentum and there is more to come.”
He said people are moving in droves to Brownsville and asserted that for every person leaving town, three are moving in.
The lengthy State of the City address included comments made by a number of elected officials, including U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez, TSC Board President Adela Garza, the city’s commissioners and others.
Some in the audience said Cowen’s presentation was loaded with information.
They also said it was similar to last year though it contained twice as many facts this time.
“I was here in 2025,” remarked Alberto Garcia, an employee at SA Recycling at the port. “There was a lot more information tonight.”
Nancy Gaytan, whose family owns a business along FM 511, said the city has come a long way.
“Brownsville is now being recognized nationwide, “she said. “It’s exciting to know about all the things going on.”
State Rep. Erin Gamez said one of the things that impressed her the most from Cowen’s address was about people leaving the city, compared to those moving in.
Dalith Cantu, an industrial development specialist with CIL Capital of McAllen, summarized the state of the mayor’s state of the city in one word:
“Padrisimo (awesome).”
