Brownsville takes water, space and trade priorities to Washington in search of federal support

Brownsville business and government leaders are in Washington, D.C., this week looking for federal resources to help pay for and advance some of the city’s biggest priorities, including water infrastructure, space commerce, aviation and international trade.

The delegation, organized through the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In, is meeting with federal agencies and members of Congress as the city looks for funding opportunities, partnerships and guidance on projects that Brownsville may not be able to finance on its own.

“Our budget does not allow us to do all the things we want to do, so we have to find different ways to get resources to our community,” Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. said in a news release Wednesday. “Building these relationships and understanding how federal programs can support our local priorities is an important part of that effort.” 

Water, space and infrastructure

The trip comes as Brownsville faces growing infrastructure demands tied to residential and industrial development, making water one of the more consequential issues on the delegation’s agenda.

Brownsville recently entered into an agreement with SpaceX that could provide up to $220 million toward qualifying water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The city has said the investment is intended to help expand and diversify Brownsville’s water supply rather than purchase or reserve water for SpaceX. 

In Washington, the delegation is discussing water resources and infrastructure with representatives from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission.

Space commerce is also on the agenda. City representatives are meeting with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Space Commerce, while aviation discussions include the Federal Aviation Administration.

Other meetings involve the U.S. Maritime Administration and Federal Communications Commission, with discussions covering maritime interests, communications and technology. 

Trade and economic development

The delegation is also pushing Brownsville’s priorities as a major U.S.-Mexico trade and industrial hub.

Scheduled discussions include international trade, logistics, border and customs modernization, economic development, incentives and innovation, according to the city.

Workforce development, the education pipeline, health care access, business taxes and regulation are also on the agenda. 

The delegation includes representatives from Valley Regional Medical Center, Bechtel Corp., the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, Brownsville Public Utilities Board and the city of Brownsville. 

Meetings on Capitol Hill

Brownsville representatives also have meetings scheduled with U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.

The delegation is also expected to attend an address by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn focused on border trade as a national economic priority.

The trip has affected city business back home. Brownsville rescheduled its Sept. 15 City Commission meeting to Sept. 22 because several commissioners are in Washington and the city would not have had a quorum. 

Cowen said the meetings are intended not only to make Brownsville’s case for federal support but also to build relationships that could help the city compete for resources in the future.

“The end result is always really sharing our priorities, but getting guidance on next steps on how we can advance our mission,” Cowen said.