NextDecade's $18.4 Billion LNG Project Boosts Brownsville's Economic Landscape

The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) of Brownsville, Texas, strengthened relationships and collaboration frameworks with international energy companies, particularly those involved in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export, during the LNG Export Conference held in Houston, Texas.

GBIC’s Participation and Insights

GBIC’s participation stood out during networking and learning sessions, where they established new contacts and gained relevant industry insights. "Our team participated to obtain valuable information on future trends, emerging technologies, and investment strategies driving innovation and success in the LNG sector," they highlighted.

NextDecade’s Major Investment in Brownsville: Rio Grande LNG

One of the key companies at this event was NextDecade, which in 2023 announced the largest U.S. investment for an LNG export plant at the Port of Brownsville, Texas. The project, named Rio Grande LNG, comes with a budget exceeding $18.4 billion just for its first phase. According to Mexico Industry, this project will involve the development of over 984 acres (398.211 hectares) within the Port of Brownsville. In Phase I alone, the liquefaction capacity will be 17.6 million metric tons per year (MTPA) and is expected to generate up to 5,000 jobs.

GBIC’s Crucial Role at the Conference

GBIC’s role was crucial during the LNG Export Conference, represented by Eleazar Rodríguez, Director of Industrial Parks Development and Special Projects, and Jovanna Rangel, Director of Business Retention and Expansion. "The conference provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our project partners," they concluded.

Brownsville’s Competitive Edge

This event highlighted Brownsville, Texas’s competitive advantages in the international energy sector, positioning it as a key player in LNG export and promoting regional economic development through innovation and strategic collaboration.