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Brownsville Economic Development Council has earned the CompetitiveReady Seal, an endorsement of the area´s overall capacity to support business development. Brownsville is the first CompetitiveReady community to receive the seal. Located at the southern tip of Texas, on the border with Mexico, Brownsville offers access to international trade through the Port of Brownsville. Other advantages that stood out for the auditors included safety, ongoing improvements to the infrastructure, and cooperative leadership that has made Brownsville a leader in business attraction and job growth.

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The Brownsville-Matamoros region offers a world of opportunities for the local and foreign investor. Brownsville is located on the southernmost tip of Texas, separated by the Rio Grande River from its Mexican sister city, Matamoros, Tamaulipas. The area has become a hub for international trade and commerce due to its ideal geographic location, solid infrastructure and logistics, valuable resources, pro-business climate, a young and skilled workforce on both sides of the border, low labor costs, and the region’s overall low cost of living. 

Recently named the 6th fastest-growing manufacturing region in the United States (IndustryWeek magazine), Brownsville-Matamoros is positioned for the best import-export operations in the global market, with its largest trading partners being the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, all of which have increased their investments in the region. Hidden little treasure on the southern tip of Texas, recently named “North America’s Best Cost-Effective City” (FDI magazine) and ranked number 4 in “America’s Next Recovering Job Markets” (BusinessWeek and MoodysEconomy.com), Brownsville is attracting global attention from companies that can’t help but become part of the promising prosperity that awaits them in the Brownsville/Matamoros Borderplex.

In addition to the countless business and investment opportunities, the Brownsville-Matamoros region presents a hybrid of two cultures and languages that make this place unique and exciting. Both cities are historically rich and passionate about the arts, culture, and education. With a year-round pleasant climate and close proximity to water allowing for most kinds of sports and outdoor activities, it is no wonder why people consider Brownsville to be the perfect place to live, learn, work, and play.

Distance to Key Markets
Location  Miles
Chicago 1,472
Dallas 544
Detroit 1,755
Houston 352
Indanapolis 1,452
Kansas City 1,084
Los Angeles 1,650
San Antonio 278
Mexico City 457
Monterrey, Mex 184

 

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Demographics
Population
  1980 1990 2000 2010 % Change from 1980-2010 % Change from 2000-2010 2020 Projection 2040 Projection
Brownsville 84,997 98,962 139,722 175,023 105.9% 25.3% N/A N/A
Brownsville MSA* 209,727 260,120 335,227 406,220 93.7% 21.2% 491,465 594,027
Rio Grande Valley ** 537,811 701,888 978,369 1,264,091 135.0% 29.2% 1,641,290 2,281,456
Texas 14,229,191 17,044,714 20,851,820 25,145,561 76.7% 20.6% 30,858,449 44,872,038
United States 226,545,805 249,464,396 281,421,906 308,745,538 36.3% 9.7% 324,927,000 377,350,000
*Brownsville MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) is an area consisting of one county-Cameron, which includes the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, La Feria, Los Fresnos, Palm Valley, Port Isabel, Rio Hondo, & San Benito; the towns of Bayview, Combes, Indian Lake, Laguna Vista, Los Indios, Primera, Rancho Viejo, Santa Rosa, South Padre Island; and 30 CDPs (Census-designated places).
**Rio Grande Valley comprises the following 4 counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, & Willacy County    
Source: Texas State Data Center, U.S. Census Bureau      
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Employment
Brownsville MSA Civilian Labor Force & Employment (12 month period)
  Civilian Labor Force Employment Unemployment Unemployment  Rate Employment Growth Rate
Mar 2011 157,451 138,562 18,889 12.0% 0
April 2011 159,350 141,098 18,252 11.5% 1.83%
May 2011 158,100 139,500 18,600 11.8% -1.13%
June 2011 156,700 136,500 20,200 12.9% -2.15%
July 2011 159,600 139,300 20,300 12.7% 2.05%
Aug 2011 159,300 139,400 19,900 12.5% 0.07%
Sept 2011 159,500 139,700 19,800 12.4% 0.22%
Oct  2011 159,400 140,400 19,000 11.9% 0.50%
Nov 2011 159,600 141,700 17,900 11.2% 0.93%
Dec 2011 158,400 140,700 17,700 11.2% -0.71%
Jan  2012 162,800 144,000 18,800 11.5% 2.35%
Feb 2012 162,900 145,100 17,800 10.9% 0.76%
Source: Texas Workforce Commission: Texas Labor Market Review 
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Workforce Training

Brownsville and its surrounding area is a region that sees the true value of working in unison to promote a community that fosters education and training to improve our workforce and our community’s business climate.

The Division of Economic Development and Community Services was created for the purpose of promoting the regional economic development through ongoing collaboration with governments, economic development agencies, non-profit organizations, NGOs and private businesses in five key areas:

  1. Creating strategic partnerships between university research and commercial ventures
  2. Developing local workforce skills to meet the rapidly changing needs of business and industry
  3. Promoting a culture and spirit of entrepreneurship to generate new, higher-wage jobs
  4. Expanding the region's capacity as an international business center
  5. Facilitating community access to university services and programs

 

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College offer the Workforce Training and Continuing Education program (WTCE), which aims to be a full partner in the facilitation of the economic development of the international region it serves. WTCE provides special training and assistant programs that help companies train their employees to specific job needs.

The International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITEC) is the place that provides for many of these services, including those of The International Innovation Center's Business Incubator (IIC), which offers a starting or growing business the environment and support necessary to increase their chances of success. 

The IIC Business Incubator has helped launch over 60 companies, with a success rate of 78 percent. Whether it is flexible and affordable lease space for your operations, collaboration in research & development, internships, training skills workshops, or professional guidance, the ITEC center welcomes you and is readily available to help you succeed.

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Income
Median Household Income
  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5yr % Change
Brownsville MSA $29,909 $30,769 $30,549 $31,370 $31,736 6.11%
Texas $56,665 $58,544 $59,114 $57,511 $56,575 -0.16%
United States $52,347 $53,326 $52,488 $51,190 $50,046 -4.40%
             
Percentage Change 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5yr % Change
Brownsville MSA 0 2.88% -0.72% 2.69% 1.17% 6.11%
Texas 0 3.32% 0.97% -2.71% -1.63% -0.16%
United States 0 1.87% -1.57% -2.47% -2.23% -4.40%
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Per Capita Income
  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5yr % Change
Brownsville MSA $12,931 $13,677 $13,565 $14,130 $13,450 4.01%
Texas $24,332 $25,173 $25,290 $24,475 $23,863 -1.93%
United States $27,324 $28,064 $27,869 $26,845 $26,059 -4.63%
             
Percentage Change 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5yr % Change
Brownsville MSA 0 5.77% -0.82% 4.17% -4.81% 4.01%
Texas 0 3.46% 0.46% -3.22% -2.50% -1.93%
United States 0 2.71% -0.69% -3.67% -2.93% -4.63%
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Trade Activity
Trade Activity in Brownsville
EXPORTS 2010 2011 *2012
Brownville to Mexico 7,268,229,595 8,033,223,986 697,209,750
Other Exports 354,593,811 610,846,505 33,447,929
Total Exports 7,622,823,406 8,644,070,491 730,657,679
IMPORTS      
Mexico to Brownsville 5,018,887,505 5,427,874,957 481,568,024
Other Imports 927,411,815 1,164,053,966 76,760,050
Total Imports 5,946,299,320 6,591,928,923 558,328,074
*2012 figures only reflect January's numbers. 
Source: Texas Center for Border Economic & Enterprise Development
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Building Permits
Building Permits
Date Number of Dwelling Units Average Value per Dwelling Unit
  Units Percent Change Value ($) Percent Change
2011 - Jan 57 -6.6% 104,400 -3.7%
Feb 79 14.5% 102,600 -1.9%
Mar 85 -26.1% 95,200 -0.3%
Apr 82 -13.7% 106,300 12.7%
May 97 21.2% 95,900 2.5%
Jun 65 -19.8% 108,900 6.0%
Jul 88 2.3% 91,600 -12.2%
Aug 76 -16.5% 97,300 -11.0%
Sep 70 1.4% 98,500 0.1%
Oct 92 17.9% 87,100 -19.4%
Nov 71 7.6% 108,500 -3.7%
Dec 104 52.9% 91,700 -19.1%
2012 - Jan 69 21.1% 102,100 -2.2%
Feb 69 -12.7% 106,600 3.9%
         
Source: Real Estate Center of Texas A&M University 
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Bank Deposits
Bank Deposits for all FDIC-Insured Institutions in Brownsville MSA
Data as of June 30 for year: Commercial Banks Savings Institutions All Institutions (Total)
Number of Deposits in millions Number of Deposits in millions Number of Deposits in millions
Institutions Offices Institutions Offices Institutions Offices
2000 10 51 $2,281 1 9 $235 11 60 $2,516
2001 12 54 $2,425 1 9 $255 13 63 $2,680
2002 13 53 $2,560 1 8 $242 14 61 $2,802
2003 13 57 $2,891 1 7 $237 14 64 $3,128
2004 14 64 $3,396 0 0 $0 14 64 $3,396
2005 14 71 $3,493 0 0 $0 14 71 $3,493
2006 14 74 $3,768 0 0 $0 14 74 $3,768
2007 15 82 $3,875 0 0 $0 15 82 $3,875
2008 16 85 $4,072 0 0 $0 16 85 $4,072
2009 17 83 $4,294 0 0 $0 17 83 $4,294
Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation       
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Demographics ›