Vice President JD Vance kicks off construction of $3.2B Brownsville shipyard promising 10,000 jobs
Officials participate in the groundbreaking for Saronic Technologies’ Port Alpha shipyard at the Port of Brownsville on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The $3.2 billion project is expected to support up to 10,000 jobs over the next decade. Photo Credit | Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza

Construction began on the $3.2 billion defense contractor shipyard at the Port of Brownsville on Wednesday with some notable guests at the private event on the port docks under the brutal South Texas sun. 

It was so hot that a portable air-conditioned tent short-circuited temporarily during the event and had to be restarted with generators in tow. 

Sitting vice president JD Vance mingled with Saronic Technologies CEO Dino Mavrookas before touting the company’s efforts to arm the American warfighter with autonomous drone vessels and its contract with the U.S. Navy. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined Port of Brownsville chairman Sergio Lopez and dozens of business leaders across South Texas. 

5,000+ business leaders across the Valley start their day with us.

Join them free!

RGV Business Journal is the only newsroom dedicated exclusively to the business and economic forces driving South Texas and the border economy.

Our subscribers get:

In-depth reporting on real estate, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and trade
Data and economic trend analysis unavailable anywhere else in the region
The Morning Newsletter: daily, before the workday starts

Try it free for 30 days.

Start My Free Trial

$9.95/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Add Rio Grande Valley Business Journal as a preferred source on Google

Daily Business Update

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
    Get Full Access

    Edinburg on track for $20M redevelopment for two hotels

    May 8, 2026 • 2 min read

    A $20 million hotel redevelopment project is underway in Edinburg near South Closner Boulevard and Trenton Road.... Read more »

    How colleges in the Valley are leaning into student career paths, not just training

    May 20, 2026 • 6 min read

    Rio Grande Valley colleges are increasingly tying education to job outcomes as employers demand workforce skills tied to high-demand industries.... Read more »