Rio Grande Valley saw 10,000 people deported, projected $180M economic loss
By Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza • September 29, 2026 • 6 min read
DemographicsEconomic TrendsImmigrationU.S.Workforce
About 43% of those economic losses stem from 2025 alone, according to the Caminos Institute inaugural report.
Latest News
- Saronic to break ground on $3.2B Brownsville shipyard with Vance, Abbott expected to attend
- Rio Grande Valley saw 10,000 people deported, projected $180M economic loss
- Rio Grande LNG moves closer to getting even bigger at Port of Brownsville
- Industrial coating company plans $6M expansion in Mission, adding 45 jobs
- Starship reaches orbit for first time, deploys 26 Starlink satellites from Starbase
- Abbott allows cheaper diesel normally reserved for farms and off-road equipment on Texas roads as prices surge
- First lease inked at new retail plaza next to Port of Brownsville, see project construction map
- McAllen metro keeps selling more homes as Brownsville-Harlingen market sees 17% drop through August
- Alton EDC touts first lease with national coffee chain Starbucks
- Brownsville wants to court developers to renovate with historic tax credits. See online map.
Technology
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Saronic to break ground on $3.2B Brownsville shipyard with Vance, Abbott expected to attend
The Wednesday groundbreaking will mark the start of construction on Port Alpha, the massive Port of Brownsville project expected to create up to 10,000 jobs.
U.S.
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Rio Grande LNG moves closer to getting even bigger at Port of Brownsville
NextDecade secured a key federal permit for a proposed sixth production unit as it works toward a potential investment decision in 2027.
Workforce
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Industrial coating company plans $6M expansion in Mission, adding 45 jobs
The industrial coating company plans to grow its Mission operations while retaining 80 existing jobs and adding positions paying an average of $19 an hour.
Manufacturing
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Starship reaches orbit for first time, deploys 26 Starlink satellites from Starbase
SpaceX’s 14th Starship flight marked a major milestone for the South Texas launch site, carrying its first operational payload into orbit despite engine problems.
Real Estate
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First lease inked at new retail plaza next to Port of Brownsville, see project construction map
The newest retail plaza next to the Port of Brownsville has its first lease of a franchise smoothie shop.
Industrial Real Estate
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One year after opening, Puerto del Norte shows more maritime activity in Matamoros
Barges supporting offshore operations, an upcoming Orbia export to Brazil and continued dredging are adding activity to the port as it moves into a new operating phase. MATAMOROS,
Economic Trends
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Abbott allows cheaper diesel normally reserved for farms and off-road equipment on Texas roads as prices surge
The emergency order also allows heavier fuel and agricultural loads as Texas seeks relief for farmers, truckers and other businesses.
Demographics
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First look at Brownsville’s housing master plan. What you need to know and how to get involved.
The city of Brownsville is shaping its first housing master plan; here’s how to contribute to the strategy.
Immigration
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Job growth in McAllen to hit 1% increase through August, Brownsville’s official data shows nearly 1% decline
The McAllen metro area added 2,900 jobs through August, while the Brownsville metro was down 1,100 jobs over the year.
Energy
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Rio Grande Valley gas and diesel prices climb yet again – topping $4 per gallon for commuters, near $7 for truckers
The price of diesel gasoline at the pump across the Rio Grande Valley is up roughly 75% over the year, and gas climbs steadily past $4 a gallon.
Tourism
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SpaceX plans Starship’s first trip around Earth for Sept. 22
Flight 14 would be Starship’s first orbital mission and its first time carrying and deploying Starlink satellites.
International trade
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Why supply chain security was center stage for Reynosa customs brokers this week
Companies, carriers and educational institutions in Reynosa are working on certification and technology to keep Mexico-U.S. trade competitive.
Agriculture
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Valley cotton beats expectations, but the industry keeps shrinking
Valley cotton yields came in 10% to 15% above average this year, but shrinking acreage, water shortages and tough economics continue to squeeze the industry.
Logistics
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Saronic lands Navy landing craft contract, first build at Brownsville’s Port Alpha
The company expects to hire 10,000 workers in the Rio Grande Valley at the Port of Brownsville site.
Retail
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Alton EDC touts first lease with national coffee chain Starbucks
The exact location of the lease was not disclosed for the fast-growing city where the closest store was in Mission.
Residential Real Estate
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McAllen metro keeps selling more homes as Brownsville-Harlingen market sees 17% drop through August
The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area has more inventory and continues to sell more homes compared to the tighter Brownsville-Harlingen metro.
Commercial Real Estate
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Brownsville wants to court developers to renovate with historic tax credits. See online map.
Brownsville economic development leaders released an online map to encourage developers to apply for historic renovation tax credits on hundreds of properties.
Economic incentives
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Selling Matamoros: Business Groups Push Cross-Border Economic Opportunities
CODEM has big plans for the Matamoros-Brownsville community.
Mexico
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Who is investing in Tamaulipas? The new map of industrial capital
U.S. companies account for the largest share of Tamaulipas’ confirmed investment projects, while Asia represents the largest regional share of the potential pipeline REYNOSA, Tamau
Infrastructure
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SpaceX’s futuristic city of Starbase finalizes massive 7,100-acre annexation. Here’s what we know.
Starbase officials approved the massive annexation of its city limits expanding its boundaries past 8,000 acres.
Business spotlight
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Edinburg EDC is courting franchise brands, and it wants local money to meet them
A November matchmaking session signals the city is recruiting retail and service chains, not just industry EDINBURG — The Edinburg Economic Development Corp. is bringing franchise
Healthcare
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HCA’s Brownsville hospital plans $14.8M emergency room expansion
Valley Regional adds eight exam rooms and a five-bay ambulance canopy, its second ER move this year BROWNSVILLE — Valley Regional Medical Center has registered plans for a $14.8 mi
Water
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McAllen’s $204M water investment expects to seek construction bids in 2027
There will be four construction bid packages expected to go out in early 2027 for the $204 million project.
Education
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Valley program training 60 internists wins reaccreditation as specialty doctor shortage continues
South Texas Health System aims to keep newly minted physicians in one of the nation’s most underserved regions EDINBURG — A Rio Grande Valley residency program training 60 in
Finance
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Australian company plans to build a $607M lithium refinery at the Port of Brownsville. It’s a big bet on America’s battery future
The proposed facility could create up to 200 permanent jobs while producing lithium carbonate for the growing North American battery market.
Entertainment
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Edinburg’s Texas Cook’Em generated nearly $7 for every $1 invested
More than 15,000 people attended Texas Cook’Em in Edinburg, generating $1.34 million in economic output from about $196,000 spent on the festival.
Sponsored Content
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How Vantage Bank is fighting modern financial fraud — and what customers can do to protect themselves
From bank impersonation scams to AI-powered deepfakes, financial fraud is evolving. Vantage Bank explains the threats and how customers can protect themselves.
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- Could apartment-to-condo conversion help make $100K homeownership in the McAllen metro more affordable? One investor says yes.
- Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
- SpaceX’s futuristic city of Starbase finalizes massive 7,100-acre annexation. Here’s what we know.
- Cameron County is negotiating a $20M Fluidstack data center donation after Harlingen waffles on the same offer
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In the Headlines
- Environmental advocates push back as Starbase votes to dramatically expand city limits near Boca Chica Beach
- $1B desal plant secures land on South Padre Island
- SpaceX’s operations projected to generate $13B economic impact in Cameron County
- Coming soon: Space Monkey Barrcade bets on nostalgia and in-person arcade play to draw crowds in Edinburg
- U.K. business plans massive data center in Harlingen, records show
