At his second annual State of the City address, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. said Brownsville is “at the edge of its future,” unveiling historic investments, transformative projects, and economic momentum that are propelling the city into a new era of innovation, infrastructure, and opportunity.
Speaking Wednesday evening before local leaders, residents, and dignitaries, Mayor Cowen outlined a wide-ranging vision that touches every corner of the city, from housing and public safety to broadband, parks, downtown revitalization, and significant economic development.
The city now ranks as the number one metropolitan area in the U.S. for investment and was recently named one of the top five cities people are moving to nationwide. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, job growth surged by 4.2% in Q3 2024.
Mayor Cowen said key industries, including aerospace, technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, are investing heavily in Brownsville. The city’s economic development partners, including GBIC and BCIC, are spearheading efforts such as the $11 million Brownsville Tech Industrial Park and a $1.2 million grant to expand startup accelerators.
One of the most notable projects announced is the upcoming $70 million Brownsville Public Safety Complex, which will serve as a central hub for police, fire, EMS, emergency management, and cybersecurity. Simultaneously, the City is advancing a $300 million capital improvement plan—the largest in its history—featuring street reconstructions, drainage enhancements, and expanded transit options, including solar-powered bus shelters.
Mayor Cowen also spoke of Brownsville’s rapid move into digital connectivity, noting the rollout of OMNI/LIT Fiber-BTX, the city’s high-speed broadband initiative, and the city’s deployment of private 5G infrastructure for smart public safety monitoring.
He also spoke of Brownsville’s ongoing transformation, which is the development of next-generation master-planned communities. This week, the City celebrated the groundbreaking of the Madeira project, which will feature 1,000 single-family homes, 1,000 multi-family units, retail space, and 10 miles of trails. Additionally, the proposed Estrella community is set to span 1,100 acres, bringing more than 3,400 new homes and 30 miles of sidewalks and trails, further expanding Brownsville’s residential and recreational footprint.
Combined with the registration of 46 new subdivisions in just over a year and over $339 million in construction permits, the city is experiencing a residential and commercial development boom.
The Mayor stated the City is also investing in the heart of Brownsville, with more than $42 million directed toward downtown revitalization—including restoring historic properties like El Jardin Hotel and the Samano Building. The Mayor reaffirmed the city’s commitment to affordability, culture, and community development.
Mayor Cowen said UTRGV contributes to downtown’s transformation with over $84 million in investments, including new performing arts and design campuses.
As the mayor wrapped up the address, he reaffirmed his commitment to working collaboratively with the City Commission, business partners, and residents under the philosophy of ” ‘One City,’ which means we work together to bring about the Brownsville we deserve. As they say, it takes a village. Here in Brownsville, we have been working diligently to create unprecedented sustainable growth, and together we are writing our future. As a city, we are at the edge of the future,” Mayor Cowen said.
