Port of Brownsville Charts Bold Future at Annual State of the Port Address

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, June 12, 2026 – The Port of Brownsville welcomed business leaders, elected officials, industry partners and community stakeholders to its annual State of the Port Address on Thursday, June 11, at the Rancho Viejo Conference Center.

During the event, the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Board of Commissioners and Port Director and CEO William Dietrich celebrated  the port’s 90th anniversary and outlined its continued growth, infrastructure investments and expanding economic impact across the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.

“We currently have projects in our pipeline representing more than $30 billion in potential investment at this port,  in energy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense and critical supply chains,” BND Vice Chairman Ernesto Gutierrez said. “These are industries reshaping the American economy, and t

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Commissioner John Wood Retires After Three Terms, Marking the Close of a Distinguished Era of Public Service

Commissioner John Wood, Place 2, is joined by his wife and son after receiving a proclamation and award of recognition for his years of dedicated service to the district at a regular BND board meeting held May 13, in the BND boardroom.

 

By Christina R. Garza/Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — May 21, 2026 —John Wood arrived in Brownsville in 1970 as a 23-year-old Southwestern Bell company manager. More than five decades later, he is retiring from public service after helping shape some of the city’s most consequential ci

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BND Commission Appoints New Chairman

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — May 21, 2026 — The Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Board of Commissioners appointed Sergio Tito Lopez as Chairman and welcomed two new commissioners, marking a significant transition in leadership at the Port of Brownsville.

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the board also appointed its new officers: Commissioner Ernesto Gutierrez as Vice Chairman and Commissioner John Reed as Secretary of the Board.

Earlier in that meeting, Commissioner for Place 2, David A. Garcia, was administered the Oath of Office by Judge Leonel Alejandro. A first-term commissioner, Garcia succeeds Comm

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El Puerto de Brownsville celebra 90 años de liderazgo económico

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Al celebrar 90 años de progreso en 2026, el Puerto de Brownsville ha transformado una visión audaz en una potencia económica, asegurando miles de millones de dólares en inversión privada y consolidándose como uno de los centros de manufactura y logística de más rápido crecimiento en Texas.

Establecido por los votantes en 1928 e inaugurado oficialmente en 1936, el puerto transformó el extremo más al sur de Texas de una economía basada en la agricultura a una puerta de enlace para el comercio global. La construcción del Canal de Navegación de Brownsville durante la Gran Depresión conectó al Valle del Río Grande con el Golfo de México y sentó las bases para décadas de expansión industrial.

Desde sus primeros años, el puerto evolucionó de manejar productos agrícolas y obtener el título de “Número Uno en Exportación de Algodón en la Nac

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Chairman Guerra Concludes Tenure Focused on Growth and Community

 

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 14, 2026 – As Chairman Esteban “Steve” Guerra prepares to conclude his service on the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Board of Commissioners, he reflects on his eight years of leadership marked by economic growth, regional opportunity and a commitment to serving the people of the Rio Grande Valley.

First elected to the Brownsville Navigation District Board in 2018, Guerra was appointed chairman in May 2022 and reappointed in 2024. During his tenure, he helped guide the Port of Brownsville through a period of continued growth and investment, while championing initiatives focused on sustainable economic development and the creation of quality jobs for the region.

A Brownsville native with a background in international business and economic development, Guerra noted that his decision to serve on the navigation district was rooted in a long

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NOTICE REGARDING RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION OF THE BND

 

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 12, 2026 – The Brownsville Navigation District (BND) held a general election for Commissioner Place 2 and Commissioner Place 4, on May 2, 2026.

The final unofficial results reflect candidate David A. Garcia receiving the most votes in the race for Place 2, and candidate Luis H. Villarreal receiving the most votes in the race for Place 4.

Both candidates were scheduled to be sworn in after the official canvassing of the votes at the regular board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026. However, a petition for a recount has been received requesting a hand count of the votes for the Place 2 race.

Due to this request, only the swearing in ceremony for commissioner candidate Luis H. Villarreal will take place on Wednesday as planned. The swearing in for Commissioner Place 2 will occur after the recount process is completed and the official c

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U.S. Sen. Cornyn Visits Texas A&M Manufacturing Hub at Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 8, 2026 – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn visited the Texas A&M Rio Grande Valley Advanced Manufacturing Hub at the Port of Brownsville on April 10, for a roundtable discussion focused on workforce training and regional employment programs.

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban “Steve” Guerra, Vice Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez, Secretary John Reed, Commissioner Ernesto Gutierrez and Port Director and CEO William Dietrich participated in the discussion alongside industry partners to advance collaboration in preparing the region’s workforce for emerging job opportunities.

 

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Port of Brownsville Awards Scholarships to 32 Graduating Seniors

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 11, 2026 – The Brownsville Navigation District (BND) has awarded scholarships to 32 graduating high school seniors through the 2026 Port of Brownsville Scholarship Program, recognizing their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service.

Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon enrollment in a college, university, or technical institution. Recipients were selected through a competitive process evaluating academic performance, extracurricular involvement, community engagement, work experience, and a submitted personal essay. The awardees represent 16 public and private high schools across the navigation district.

“Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on this important milestone,” said Port Director and CEO William Dietrich. “The Port of Brownsville is proud to invest in the education and future success of our students, who

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BND General Election May 2, 2026 Official Results

***OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS***

Brownsville Navigation District General Election May 2, 2026

Early Voting results, mail-in votes, and 30 of 30 voting centers reporting Election Day.

Commissioner, Place 2
• Alex Najera – 1,523
• David A. Garcia – 4,304
• Shariff Gonnella -2,455

Commissioner, Place 4
• Luis H. Villarreal, Jr. – 3,308
• Martha A. Davila – 2,973
• Prisci Roca Tipton – 1,957

Unofficial results were canvassed during the Brownsville Navigation District’s regular board meeting held May 13, 2026.
For more information visit the Cameron County Elections and Voter Registration Department website:
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/elections/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/526-Canvass-Summary-Results.pdf

&

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Port Enhances Maritime Security with New Police Boat

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – April 6, 2026 – The Port of Brownsville Police & Security Department has expanded its maritime enforcement and emergency response capabilities with the addition of a SAFE 23 Center Console Police Boat.

The vessel strengthens on-water operations by enhancing visibility and providing increased deck space, allowing officers to maneuver efficiently, stage equipment and conduct routine patrols throughout the port’s navigable waterways in support of daily security operations.

Designed for strength, speed and durability, the SAFE 23 Police Boat is powered by dual Mercury outboard engines and can accommodate up to 13 passengers. The highly maneuverable vessel supports a wide range of mission-critical functions, including law enforcement patrols, emergency response, search and rescue operations, dive missions and maritime research support. Equipped with advanc

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Brownsville Navigation District Supports STEM Success for Brownsville ISD Racing Team

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – March 10, 2026 – The Brownsville Navigation District is proud to sponsor the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) Racing Team as part of its commitment to workforce development and STEM education.

Established in 2017, the BISD Racing Team competes in the GreenpowerUSA Electric Car Challenge, a nationwide program that challenges students from fourth grade through college to design, build and race electric vehicles. The initiative promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing hands-on opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world engineering challenges.

For eight consecutive years, the team qualified for the National Finals but was unable to attend because of financial constraints. In May 2025, eight students traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, to compete at Nationals for the first time. The team was the only a

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Port of Brownsville Announces America First Refining Project First New U.S. Gulf Coast Refinery in Nearly 50 Years

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — March 11, 2026 —The Port of Brownsville held a press conference today at its administrative office to announce the America First Refining project, which will be the first new U.S. Gulf Coast oil refinery in nearly 50 years. The project announcement was first shared by President Donald J. Trump on Mar. 10, on social media.

The refinery, to be built on more than 240 acres within the port, will process 100 percent domestic shale oil using advanced, hydrogen-powered systems to produce ultra‑low‑carbon fuels. According to America First Refining, the project will create 500 direct full-time jobs, with projected annual salaries ranging from $80,000 to $100,000. Thousands more indirect jobs are expected across construction, logistics and long-term operational support industries, representing one of the most significant industrial investments in South Texas history

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Statement from the Port of Brownsville Regarding America First Refining Project

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) — The Port of Brownsville welcomes today’s announcement regarding the America First Refining project, a development that has been more than 12 years in the making. We are pleased to see this long-planned investment moving toward fruition and thank President Donald J. Trump and his administration for their support in advancing opportunities that strengthen America’s energy infrastructure.

This project represents an exciting step forward for our region, and our Port leadership remains committed to attracting transformative investments that create good-paying jobs and expand economic opportunity for the people of the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas.

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Port of Brownsville Celebrates 90 Years of Economic Leadership

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Monday, March 9, 2026) — Celebrating 90 years of progress in 2026, the Port of Brownsville has transformed a bold vision into an economic powerhouse, securing billions in private investment and anchoring one of the fastest-growing manufacturing and logistics hubs in Texas.

Established by voters in 1928 and officially opened in 1936, the port reshaped the southernmost tip of Texas from an agriculture-based economy into a global trade gateway. The construction of the Brownsville Ship Channel during the Great Depression connected the Rio Grande Valley to the Gulf of Mexico and laid the groundwork for decades of industrial expansion.

From its earliest days, the port evolved from handling agricultural products and earning the title “Number One Cotton Port in the Nation” to managing grains and shrimp, and ultimately becoming a diversified logi

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Statement from the Port of Brownsville Regarding Potential Shipyard Project

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Thursday, February 19, 2026) — Recently, there has been public discussion regarding a potential high-tech shipyard project under development at the Port of Brownsville.

While confidentiality agreements prevent the release of specific details, we can confirm that Port of Brownsville leadership is spearheading this effort. This initiative is being advanced strategically and in coordination with regional partners as part of the port’s long-term vision for economic growth. This is a highly competitive project, and the Port of Brownsville is actively positioning our region to successfully compete at the highest level.

Projects of this scale and nature reflect the Port of Brownsville’s core mission to attract transformative investment, create good-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunity for the residents of the Brownsville Navigation District

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