Deal Advances $1.6 Billion Port Steel Mill

New addition would bring hundreds of jobs

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Deal Advances $1.6 Billion Port Steel Mill

Big River Steel was the first to have a steel mill to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners recently signed an option agreement to lease for the company to build another LEED-certified plant at the Port of Brownsville. (photo Big River Steel)
Big River Steel was the first to have a steel mill to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. (photo Big River Steel)

On Tuesday, the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners signed an option agreement for Big River Steel LLC to build a $1.6 billion plant at the Port of Brownsville. The agreement covers up to 800 acres of property. This will enable the steel-maker to develop a LEED-certified steel manufacturing plant, as well as storage and a distribution facility. 

“This is good news for Brownsville and the result of hard work by many individuals and organizations over a long period of time. Our rail partner OmniTRAX played an important role in introducing this opportunity to the port,” stated John Wood, chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District board. “We are excited about this step forward and remain confident the venture will be beneficial for all parties, for Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley.”

According to Wood, construction could create up to 1,500 construction jobs. In addition, there would be a creation of 500 new full-time local jobs for the plant.

“The impact of those jobs in terms of retail spending, services, and new housing impacts represent a transformational moment for Brownsville and the Valley,” he said.

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