How much water does SpaceX need to operate near Brownsville? Nearly 20x its current use
By Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza • September 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Industrial Real EstateInfrastructureManufacturingReal EstateTechnologyU.S.Water
SpaceX estimates it will need 2 million gallons of water per day, nearly 20 times what it purchased from the Brownsville Public Utilities Board in fiscal 2025.
Latest News
- How much water does SpaceX need to operate near Brownsville? Nearly 20x its current use
- SpaceX plans Starship’s first trip around Earth for Sept. 22
- As industrial development surges, Brownsville seeks residents for Environmental Task Force
- $39M apartment complex planned in Brownsville
- Matamoros says push to join Mexico’s multibillion-dollar trade corridor is gaining ground
- Crunch Fitness is expanding and struggling in the Valley. Here’s why
- Mexico car sales are growing, but its factories are making fewer vehicles
- Momole gains ground in McAllen as Reynosa-born brand plots U.S. expansion
- Edinburg’s Texas Cook’Em generated nearly $7 for every $1 invested
- Harlingen earns state tourism certification aimed at boosting local economic development
Water
View All
As industrial development surges, Brownsville seeks residents for Environmental Task Force
The advisory group could give residents a greater role in environmental and development issues as billions of dollars in new industrial projects reshape the area.
Technology
View All
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.
Infrastructure
View All
Matamoros says push to join Mexico’s multibillion-dollar trade corridor is gaining ground
Matamoros business leaders say state and federal officials are working to connect the city to the Gulf North Corridor after months of lobbying.
U.S.
View All
Crunch Fitness is expanding and struggling in the Valley. Here’s why
One Crunch Fitness operator is expanding into Harlingen while another gym in Pharr recently reopened after a nearly $400,000 tax dispute.
Manufacturing
View All
Mexico car sales are growing, but its factories are making fewer vehicles
Mexico sold more than 1 million vehicles through August, while production slipped and exports stayed flat. More than 76% of exports went to the United States.
Real Estate
View All
$39M apartment complex planned in Brownsville
The privately funded Sonrisa Village Apartments would add more than 376,000 square feet of new residential development along Bowie Road.
Industrial Real Estate
View All
Cameron County is negotiating a $20M Fluidstack data center donation after Harlingen waffles on the same offer
Cameron County officials may secure a $20 million donation from the Fluidstack data center company.
Tourism
View All
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.
Energy
View All
Fluidstack breaks ground on $4 billion Cameron County AI data center
The company says the more than 1,100-acre campus near Rio Hondo will create more than 2,500 construction jobs and several hundred permanent jobs.
Commercial Real Estate
View All
Brownsville opens up to $30,000 in storefront grants for District 2 businesses
The BIG LIFT program will reimburse eligible small businesses for 80% of exterior improvement costs, with applications open through Oct. 9.
Business spotlight
View All
Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
The Metals Company is eyeing 1,466 acres at the port for Nodule City, a proposed hub to process metals mined from the Pacific seafloor.
International trade
View All
Momole gains ground in McAllen as Reynosa-born brand plots U.S. expansion
The mole brand has grown up to 40% since opening in McAllen and recently earned Mexico’s Sello M recognition for preserving Mexican culinary traditions abroad.
Mexico
View All
Binational education leaders say they’re ready to train 10,000 for Port of Brownsville companies
COSTEP brought education leaders from South Texas and Tamaulipas together to prepare for workforce needs tied to thousands of expected jobs.
Logistics
View All
Donna International Bridge upgrades tech ahead of commercial truck expansion as officials wait on Mexico
The bridge is expected to break ground on its southbound commercial truck facility in October and has invested in new technology to make that transition.
Economic Trends
View All
Harlingen earns state tourism certification aimed at boosting local economic development
The Travel Texas designation recognizes Harlingen’s efforts to grow tourism and turn visitor spending into support for local businesses, hotels and restaurants.
Retail
View All
Tamaulipas wants to put more of its products on Texas shelves
The state is training 60 businesses to meet U.S. export requirements as it targets 100 products for the Texas market.
Entertainment
View All
Texas approved just four new cultural districts. Two are in the Rio Grande Valley
Brownsville and Edinburg earned the state designation, qualifying them to compete for grants aimed at tourism and economic development.
Finance
View All
Texas Venture Fest returns to Brownsville, connecting Valley entrepreneurs with statewide startup network
The free event will connect Rio Grande Valley founders and investors with a statewide gathering expected to draw more than 3,500 participants.
Agriculture
View All
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.
Workforce
View All
Texas businesses can get up to $500,000 to train existing workers under state program
The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Upskill Texas, which reimburses qualifying employers up to $3,000 per worker for training.
Education
View All
What you need to know about Texas A&M’s newest manufacturing hub near the Port of Brownsville
The $30 million manufacturing hub is nearing completion and hiring instructors as it prepares to expand workforce training in Brownsville.
Healthcare
View All
Valley Regional Medical Center plans $1.6M expansion
The Brownsville hospital plans to add nearly 2,000 square feet to its existing operating room suite, with construction expected to begin this month.
Economic incentives
View All
Business leaders defend Brownsville’s $220M SpaceX water agreement after contentious vote
Business leaders said the investment could expand water capacity, support jobs, and prepare Brownsville for industrial growth.
Immigration
View All
Pharr launches new forum focused on cross-border trade, logistics and investment
The inaugural Gateway Forum will bring industry leaders to Pharr in October to discuss international trade, logistics, and economic development in the Valley.
Sponsored Content
View All
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.
Residential Real Estate
View All
McAllen metro shifts toward a buyer’s housing market as Brownsville metro stays balanced in July
Home sales increased across both Valley metros in July, but McAllen had nine months of inventory while Brownsville remained balanced at six months.
Demographics
View All
Reynosa and Matamoros emerge as Tamaulipas’ population engines
Reynosa and Matamoros now account for more than one-third of Tamaulipas’ population, fueled by manufacturing, logistics, and cross-border trade.
Most Read
- SpaceX is giving Brownsville $220M for water projects. In exchange, the city gave up zoning control of 444 acres near Starbase
- SpaceX seeks to take zoning control over nearly 450 acres from city of Brownsville as a ‘regional’ water deal takes shape
- Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
- SpaceX’s millionaire boom could make Brownsville homes — and some tax bills — more expensive
- What you need to know about Texas A&M’s newest manufacturing hub near the Port of Brownsville

Get the latest business news delivered to your inbox every morning for free.
Try 30 Days Free!
Get full access to award-winning journalism covering business, real estate, health care, economic trends, and the people shaping the Rio Grande Valley.
30 Days Free!
$9.95/month
Limited time offer
Subscription renews after your 30 day free trial at $9.95/mo.
Included Benefits
- Unlimited access to all articles
- Daily business news and analysis
- Subscriber-only content and features
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
- U.K. business plans massive data center in Harlingen, records show
- Cameron County set to acquire B&M Bridge, adding fourth international crossing to its network



