The Rio Grande Valley’s tech industry is small but growing — meet some of the next-gen workforce
By Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza • September 17, 2026 • 7 min read
Economic TrendsTechnologyU.S.Workforce
Tech remains a small piece of the Valley economy, but local graduates are finding new ways to build careers as AI reshapes entry-level work.
Latest News
- SpaceX reschedules Starship’s first flight around the Earth
- Entrepreneurs enter Mission EDC’s ‘Shark Tank’ competition for $25K top prize
- The Rio Grande Valley’s tech industry is small but growing — meet some of the next-gen workforce
- Starbase cancels meeting to consider annexing 444 acres relinquished by Brownsville
- Brownsville takes water, space and trade priorities to Washington in search of federal support
- Swig plans first Rio Grande Valley location in Edinburg, with five more on the way
- 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
Technology
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SpaceX reschedules Starship’s first flight around the Earth
SpaceX is now targeting Sept. 28 for Starship Flight 14 from Starbase, a nearly 10-hour mission planned to send the spacecraft around Earth six times.
U.S.
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Entrepreneurs enter Mission EDC’s ‘Shark Tank’ competition for $25K top prize
Mission’s first Small Business Expo brought entrepreneurs together to network and compete for cash prizes with local businesses taking center stage.
Economic incentives
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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.
Retail
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Swig plans first Rio Grande Valley location in Edinburg, with five more on the way
The dirty soda chain plans a roughly $1 million location along Trenton Road as part of a broader six-store expansion into the Rio Grande Valley.
Economic Trends
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Brownsville takes water, space and trade priorities to Washington in search of federal support
City and business leaders are meeting with federal agencies and lawmakers as Brownsville looks for funding for infrastructure and economic development.
Workforce
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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.
Manufacturing
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Starbase cancels meeting to consider annexing 444 acres relinquished by Brownsville
The city was scheduled to consider SpaceX’s request to bring the property into Starbase less than three weeks after Brownsville gave up jurisdiction over the land.
Real Estate
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How much water does SpaceX need to operate near Brownsville? Nearly 20x its current use
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.
Industrial Real Estate
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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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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.
Water
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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.
Infrastructure
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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.
Finance
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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.
Commercial Real Estate
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$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.
Tourism
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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.
Energy
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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.
Business spotlight
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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.
Mexico
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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.
Logistics
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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.
Entertainment
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Brownsville advances as finalist for potential professional soccer team
The city says an interested ownership partner has emerged as Brownsville competes with one other city for a United Soccer League expansion team.
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.
Education
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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
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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.
Immigration
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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
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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.
Residential Real Estate
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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
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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
- 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
- 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
