BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Saronic Technologies has broken ground on its planned Port Alpha shipyard in Brownsville, beginning a project officials say could reshape the region’s manufacturing workforce.
Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Greg Abbott and local officials attended the Sept. 30 event for the shipyard, which is expected to support up to 10,000 jobs as it develops. The company has projected a $3.2 billion investment in the facility.
Jobs connected to the project are expected to include welding, electrical work, engineering, technical roles and advanced manufacturing. Local and state leaders said workforce training and apprenticeship pathways are being developed to prepare residents for those positions.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said initial hiring could begin with about 250 positions before growing as the project moves forward. Saronic has said it expects operations at the shipyard to begin as soon as 2028 and that the facility will build vessels for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The development is also expected to increase demand for housing, transportation and public infrastructure in and around Brownsville.
Sources: KRGV; Greater Brownsville EDC
