BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cameron County Economic Development Director Ramiro Aleman says he will present a top award to Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño at the Nov. 5 commissioners court meeting.
The Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) was given to Aleman by the Texas Economic Development Council at the group’s recent annual conference in Dallas. Cameron County received the award in the “Community Commitment and Leverage” category.
TEDC is an Austin-based professional association for economic developers across the state of Texas. Its membership consists of over 1,000 individuals, representing more than 630 public and private economic development organizations, including more than 400 communities. The group aims to bring new investment and jobs to Texas by developing strategies that promote a positive business climate in the state.
“TEDC is dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas through our many programs and services such as conferences, educational programs, mentorship and leadership programs, resources, publications, advocacy, and much more,” the group says.
The CEDA program recognizes the “exceptional contributions” of TEDC member organizations towards the economic vitality of their communities and the state of Texas. Nominees are judged on criteria including innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measurable objectives, and secondary benefits.
TEDC said the “prestigious recognition” given to Cameron County comes about thanks to NextDecade Corporation’s Rio Grande LNG (RGLNG) project at the Port of Brownsville. The $18.4 billion project, which broke ground in July 2023, is not only the largest development project in Cameron County, but the largest privately funded infrastructure project in the State of Texas and theUnited States.
Aleman said the RGLNG project exemplifies the benefits that cooperation between private and public sectors brings to the local economy and community. He said the project will yield significant long-term benefits through job creation, skills training, workforce development, supply chain strengthening and infrastructure improvements.
Aleman said it also represents a significant step forward in bringing industrial development on a much larger scale to the economically challenged region.
“This recognition reinforces the fact that Rio Grande LNG is a project that will move the needle in a positive direction here in Cameron County.” said Judge Eddie Treviño. “The positive economic impact this project will have in our community is generational with the increase of employment opportunities, higher wages and the introduction of supporting businesses.”
NextDecade Chairman and CEO Matt Schatzman said his company’s investments in the local community and environment add to the economic impact of the project, contributing to the vitality of the region for years to come.
“We are honored to be part of this recognition,” Schatzman said. “The RGLNG project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community partners and the partnerships we have built including those with Cameron County. The RGLNG project will create thousands of jobs and bring billions of dollars of investment to Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley.”
About Next Decade
NextDecade Corporation is an energy company accelerating the path to a net-zero future. Leading innovation in more sustainable LNG and carbon capture solutions, NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to cleaner energy. Through our subsidiaries Rio Grande LNG and NEXT Carbon Solutions, we are developing a 27 MTPA LNG export facility in South Texas and have proposed a carbon capture and storage project at the site. We are also working with third-party customers to deploy our proprietary processes to lower the cost of carbon capture and storage and reduce CO2 emissions at their industrial-scale facilities. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.
About Cameron County, Texas
Cameron County is located at the tip of Texas, bordering Mexico to the South, and the Gulf of Mexico to the East. The location on the Rio Grande Delta offers unique opportunities for businesses and people alike, from Aerospace, Manufacturing, Energy, and Transportation, to Tourism and Agriculture. With a population of 426,710, and young, skilled workforce of 184,096, Cameron County is building a strong economic future by attracting industries that support job creation, foster strong business, and ensure a prosperous community.
