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Written and edited by: The Better Future Institute’s Civic Tech Scholars
The Civic Tech Scholars, a program by the Better Futures Institute, hosted a panel discussion featuring Trey Mendez, the former mayor of Brownsville, and Ron Garza, former Executive Director of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership. To address the challenges and opportunities surrounding civic engagement and economic development in Brownsville, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The discussion was framed around critical themes such as regional collaboration, new vs. redevelopment, and data-driven policymaking.
As Brownsville grows and attracts investments from major companies like SpaceX, the city is presented with unique opportunities to foster economic development and retain local talent. However, critical challenges such as geographic isolation and the retention of young professionals persist. This white paper delves into the discussion’s key themes, supported by relevant data and examples, to present actionable recommendations for the future of Brownsville.
This white paper marks the first step in a collaborative research initiative aimed at gathering feedback from multiple stakeholders in the Brownsville and RGV area. Small groups during the panel compiled key insights from the discussions, identified promising courses of action for Brownsville’s urban and economic development, and highlighted critical challenges the area still faces.
The next phase of this research initiative involves developing a consultation plan to engage stakeholders and community members in Brownsville. This plan will include conducting surveys, community meetings, and developing online platforms to gather feedback that will inform future policy recommendations and guide further research.
Key Recommendations:
Regional collaboration is essential for Brownsville's future growth. According to Ranger Guard, a private security service company based in Texas, the Rio Grande Valley was home to over 1.3 million people, yet the population is spread across several small cities, limiting the development of centralized infrastructure” (2020). Due to the rural nature of the Rio Grande Valley and the lack of a centralized urban core, creating cohesive and dense micro-districts is critical for fostering quality infrastructure and economic development. However, collaboration between these decentralized communities remains a challenge.
The current mayor of Brownsville, John Cowen, in a private conversation with BFI’s Civic Tech Scholars, highlighted the educational disparities that stem from challenges in regional collaboration in rural South Texas. One such example is documented in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s institutional repository, which notes that in 2012, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a proposal to merge two of its campuses: the University of Texas–Pan American in Edinburg and the University of Texas at Brownsville, two institutions located approximately 65 miles apart.
The report explains that common reasons for such mergers include declining enrollment, unsustainable tuition discounts, rising institutional debt, and growing skepticism about the value of a college degree. In rural areas like South Texas, where there is limited urban and economic development and no centralized regional core, mergers are often used as a tool to enforce regional collaboration in the face of underfunding. However, this approach can negatively affect students, leading to long commute times and limited access to critical academic resources that may only be available at the distant campus where they are technically enrolled.
Key Opportunity: Drawing lessons from San Antonio, which successfully implemented regional collaboration strategies, Brownsville can create dense micro-districts that promote infrastructure growth while preventing urban sprawl.
The balance between new development and redevelopment was another central theme of the discussion. Redeveloping abandoned and underutilized areas of Brownsville is crucial to preventing urban sprawl and creating population density, which, in turn, enhances public infrastructure efficiency.
A Victoria Transport Policy Institute and London School of Economics report by Todd Litman reported that “sprawl has two primary resource impacts: it increases per capita land development, and by dispersing destinations, it increases total vehicle travel” (2015). Redevelopment not only addresses infrastructure efficiency but also encourages sustainable economic growth by revitalizing older communities. On average, Litman estimated that the annual, per capita cost of sprawl is “approximately $4,556, of which $2,568 is internal (borne directly by sprawl location residents) and $1,988 is external (borne by other people)” (2015). In addition, according to a 2024 report by the Center for Biological Diversity, “U.S. sprawl development increases per capita infrastructure costs by 50%, pulling public funds away from existing neighborhoods, harming communities and wildlife, and endangering [the] collective future.”
Key Opportunity: Brownsville can use redevelopment as a tool to enhance population density, improve infrastructure, and attract investment, as has been done in other growing cities like Austin and San Antonio.
Using data-driven policy to guide public decisions was emphasized as a promising practice. According to McKinsey & Company (2022), data and analytics could create approximately $1.2 trillion a year in value across the public and social sectors. According to a report by the Monitor Institute at Deloitte, in collaboration with What Works Cities (2021), a critical mass of cities is helping staff improve their data skills, investing in critical data infrastructure, and adopting data- and evidence-based practices, enabling cities to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to better serve their residents. By relying on real-time data to inform economic development, workforce training, and infrastructure investment, Brownsville can ensure more effective and equitable outcomes.
Data-driven policies are increasingly adopted by cities to improve resource allocation and economic planning. For instance, using rigorous data evaluation and behavioral science methodology, city leaders in Seattle, WA, determined the most effective way to expand access to their Utility Discount Program, which offered income-eligible residents significant discounts on their light and utility bills. (Deloitte: Closing the Data Gap, 2021)
Key Opportunity: Brownsville can strengthen its use of data analytics in economic development and infrastructure planning to drive smarter investments, improve public services, and create more equitable policies.
Several current solutions already exist in Brownsville, demonstrating progress in areas like connectivity, education, and economic development:
Brownsville faces a significant challenge in retaining young talent. Many young professionals leave the region for larger cities like San Antonio, Houston, or Austin, drawn by greater career opportunities. Retaining local talent is critical to Brownsville’s long-term growth and economic sustainability, driving future generations to settle and establish themselves for the betterment of South Texas’s future.
The panel identified the need for unified leadership to spearhead regional collaboration and overcome the geographic isolation of Brownsville. Without a clear leadership structure and collaborative governance, it is difficult for the region to present a cohesive vision for its future.
Brownsville’s geographic isolation, environmental challenges, and proximity to SpaceX operations present unique obstacles. With limited direct flights to major U.S. cities and an increasingly hot climate, Brownsville must address these infrastructural challenges in transportation and connectivity to remain a promising location for individuals and families looking to invest long-term in the Rio-Grande Valley.
Brownsville should establish a regional council to drive unified leadership and collaboration across the Rio Grande Valley. This council can coordinate infrastructure projects, workforce development programs, and economic policies.
A comprehensive workforce development program, focused on STEM education and local career pathways, should be implemented. Offering mentorship, internships, and clear job opportunities in high-growth sectors will help retain young talent.
Brownsville should invest in data analytics tools to guide infrastructure development, workforce training, and public service investments. This will ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed.
Continue to leverage public-private partnerships, like the collaboration with SpaceX, to enhance educational opportunities and drive economic growth. Expanding these partnerships can attract further investment and strengthen the local workforce.
Brownsville is well-positioned to drive economic growth and civic engagement in the coming years. By focusing on regional collaboration, retaining local talent, and leveraging public-private partnerships, the city can overcome its geographic and environmental challenges. Drawing from the insights of the Brownsville Panel discussion, this white paper provides actionable recommendations to ensure the city’s continued success in fostering a vibrant and sustainable future.
Dr. Alberto Gomez is a San Antonio-based entrepreneur. He is the Co-founder, President, and CEO of Better Futures Institute, and co-founder of Irys Technologies, a data analytics and cybersecurity firm. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Creative Industries.
