Making the most of what we have has always been Brownsville's way.
The Gladys Porter Zoo is a perfect example. What started as the Porter family's dream has become one of the most popular attractions in South Texas, welcoming over 420,000 visits each year. Nearly every family in Brownsville has a story tied to the zoo: childhood field trips, Boo at the Zoo nights, or showing relatives around when they come home for the holidays. What makes it special isn't just the visitor count; it's how it continues to bring people together, year after year.
That same spirit showed up at the first-ever Latinx Voces Health Summit, which BCIC was proud to host and sponsor at the eBridge Center. Local leaders, educators, and health advocates came together to share ideas on improving wellness across the Valley. The progress is real: according to Tu Salud Sí Cuenta, Cameron County has seen an 11.5% decrease in diabetes and a 6% decrease in obesity over the past decade. That translates to roughly 20,000 fewer people living with diabetes and 26,000 fewer facing obesity. In a state where those numbers are still climbing, Brownsville has managed to reverse the trend.
That's what happens when a community commits to taking care of its own.
That same sense of collaboration carried through the rest of October. Early in the month, eBridge hosted Texas Venture Fest in Brownsville, connecting founders from the RGV with investors and ecosystem partners across the state. Later, we organized an Alamo Angels panel featuring Sebastian Garzon, Marcos Resendez, and Supply Pay CEO William Steele, a conversation that showcased the success and creativity driving Brownsville’s founders.
Shortly after, the Dallas Federal Reserve visited eBridge to meet with local business owners, hearing firsthand about the challenges and successes shaping our region’s economy. It was a reminder that our story is worth sharing and that voices from Brownsville belong in the conversations that shape Texas’ future.
Later in October, BCIC joined the City Commission for a joint meeting that aligned our ongoing projects and priorities. On the same day, the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport announced several major updates: new routes to Mexico through Aerus and Viva Aerobus, a new GBIC-funded business center, Cactus Brew’s opening inside the terminal, and the BCIC-funded BRO Playport, a family-friendly space designed to make travel more welcoming for everyone.
Speaking of modest efforts leaving lasting roots, more than ten years ago BCIC bought a small, triangular lot behind Skinner Elementary and turned it into the Belden Community Garden. Since then, it’s grown into something special. For a decade, Brownsville Wellness Coalition and longtime residents Ruth and Gene Novgrosky have cared for it, and today, it feeds families, brings neighbors together, and adds a little color (and pollinators) to the neighborhood.
Much of the month was also about showing up for our community. We hosted the Vaquero Viernes UTRGV Football pep rally at eBridge, and joined the City of Brownsville for CycloBia and the Rails to Trails screening, both celebrating our city’s growing network of people-first spaces. We also represented Brownsville at the Texas Economic Development Council’s conference in San Antonio and at Trail Nation in Cleveland, learning from and contributing to national conversations on active transportation.
Finally, we closed one chapter of recovery while opening another for growth. October marked the completion of BCIC’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund, which helped businesses across Brownsville stay afloat and rebuild. Funds from that federal program have now made its way into the hands of local entrepreneurs, where it belongs.
As we move into November, I want to thank everyone who continues to believe in Brownsville’s potential. The progress we’re seeing in health, mobility, business, and community all comes from the same place: people who choose to build something better together.
