Season 2, Episode 5
One of the largest economic development projects in the region takes center stage in the latest episode of Brownsville at Large. Commissioner Tino Villarreal Jr. sits down with Andrea Benton, community relations director for NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project, to discuss the scale and local impact of the multibillion-dollar development underway at the Port of Brownsville. The conversation highlights job creation, infrastructure improvements, safety outreach, community investment and what the project could mean for Brownsville’s long-term role as a major energy and logistics hub.
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In Episode 5 of Brownsville at Large, I sat down with Andrea Benton from NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project to break down what residents are seeing along Highway 48 and what it means for jobs, safety, infrastructure, and the future of our local economy. This conversation puts context behind a $30 billion investment that’s reshaping our region and positioning Brownsville as a major energy and logistics hub.
Episode highlights:
• Why Rio Grande LNG is a generational economic development project for Brownsville and the RGV
• Current construction workforce of 5,500, with 70%+ local, plus nearly 200 NextDecade employees
• Project scale: $30 Billion, 5 LNG trains (with potential expansion), and major tank/storage capacity
• 2 LNG tanks completed, two more planned; pipeline work employing 800 skilled workers
• Long-term impact: 700 permanent NextDecade jobs + 650 pipeline and gas supply roles
• Infrastructure unlocked: 10-foot ship channel deepening and a new turning basin to support larger vessels and attract new industries
• Community investment: 175+ local businesses engaged, 60+ organizations supported, nearly $1M invested, plus a $1.2M fire engine donation to the City of Brownsville
• Community outreach: 20+ open houses, 5,500+ residents reached, and 4,000+ students trained on LNG safety
• What’s next: operations, first gas, and first vessel expected within the next year
