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BROWNSVILLE, Texas — President Barack Obama today signed into law the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, authorizing the Brownsville Ship Channel deepening project, making it eligible for federal funding.

The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project was one of 28 water infrastructure projects nationwide included in the WRDA and submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to Congress for approval. The project calls for the Port of Brownsville channel to be deepened to 52 feet from its current design depth of 42 feet. When complete, the Port of Brownsville will become one of the deepest ports in the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is the announcement that we were anxiously waiting for and would not have been made possible without the support from our legislative delegation in Washington, D.C., Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, and Congressman Filemon

The Port of Brownsville’s grain elevator is nearing completion of its modernization and will re-start operations in support of South Texas grain farmers soon after following its grand re-opening event at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016.

The renovation and modernization of the facility began in May 2016 undertaken by West Plains LLC, a grain elevator company part of the diversified BioUrja Group of companies.

The 50-year-old grain elevator has handled millions of tons of grain passing through the port in the past, and upon completion of its modernization it will be equipped for efficient and high-speed handling of grain through all modes of transportation – truck, rail and vessel loading and unloading. The renovated facility will provide storage for nearly 3 million bushels of grain, and in addition to the indirect economic impact on the region, it will add eight full-tim

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The Port of Brownsville expects to set tonnage and revenue records in 2016 predicts Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director & CEO.

Campirano made the prediction before a group of 150 present Thursday at his State of the Port Address in Brownsville.

In 2015, the port handled more than 10.1 million tons of cargo, exceeding the 2014 record of 8.4 million tons, and recorded almost $20 million in revenue. Although the final numbers for 2016 are not yet available the port is on track to set new tonnage and revenue records. Campirano credits the Brownsville Navigation Board (BND) of Commissioners, customers and business partners for the port’s best performance to date.

“It’s clear that together we are stronger, and that alignment and coordinated effort results in achievements like those we anticipate as we close out 2016,” Campirano added.

Campirano al

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—For the fifth consecutive year, the Brownsville Navigation District received the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting for its 2015 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented the award to Stephen B. Fitzgibbons, Port of Brownsville finance director.

“The Brownsville Navigation District commissioners and staff are dedicated to full financial transparency,” said BND Chairman John Wood. “On behalf of the board of commissioners, I commend the BND financial team on their commitment to successfully increasing the quality of our annual financial reporting.”

“I am fortunate to work alongside a team of professionals committed to the highest financial standards in accuracy, clarity and transparency,” Fitzgibbons said.

The October 2016 issue of Port Matters is available HERE.

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