Testimonials

The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas recognizes the genuine efforts and meaningful engagement shown by the Rio Grande LNG team towards our tribe. We sincerely believe that this project has the potential to deliver thousands of well-paying jobs that will uplift the entire community, bringing prosperity and progress to the Rio Grande Valley. We fully endorse and advocate for the development of the Rio Grande LNG export facility, believing that it will bring significant benefits to the entire Rio Grande Valley, including the environmental justice community.”

~Bernard Barcena, Chairman, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas

As the RGLNG project falls within my county precinct, I have made it a priority and committed myself to learning not only about liquefied natural gas, but who NextDecade is as a company and what morals they stand for. First, I can tell you that I feel safe with having an LNG site in my precinct and anyone who says LNG is bad or dangerous hasn’t done their proper research. Further, I can tell you after meeting with NextDecade representatives from the local staff all the way up to the CEO, I can confirm to you that NextDecade is fully committed to operating their RGLNG site with safety as the number one priority. Not only should Cameron County rally behind the RGLNG project because of the jobs it will create for families in Cameron County, our entire region should get behind this project as the businesses in adjacent communities will also benefit greatly. NextDecade’s RGLNG project is what we in Cameron County have been waiting for. It is a transformational project for our area that has the potential to change the way our families live for generations to come.”

~Sofia C. Benavides, Cameron County Commissioner, Precinct 1

The RGLNG project has conducted meaningful engagement with the public, including hosting 26 open houses with over 3,600 community members, including over 1,600 students, attending. In order to grow a vibrant, environmentally sustainable and resilient Brownsville community, where 55% of the City is considered low and moderate income, the creation of jobs is fundamental in combating poverty and opening the path to home ownership and resiliency. Of the 155 vendors supplying goods and services to the project, 93 or 60% are local, providing additional indirect jobs and much needed growth in our local and regional economy. Our nation is strong when a growing economically disadvantaged region, such as the Rio Grande Valley, can find common ground between an $18B investment by a producer of a lower carbon intensive LNG, and the protection of our environment for the good of generations to come.”

~John Cowen, Mayor of the City of Brownsville

The Rio Grande LNG project offers long-term benefits that will greatly enhance Cameron County’s future. With an estimated $136.9 million in tax revenue, this project will provide crucial funding for education, infrastructure, quality of life initiatives, and drainage improvements. These enhancements will improve living standards and attract further investments, creating a sustainable cycle of economic growth and development.  

Rio Grande LNG’s investment in Cameron County extends beyond economic impact; it represents a substantial environmental commitment. They have allocated millions of dollars to the conservation of over 4,000 acres of land, an area more than five times larger than the 761 acres affected by the facility. These efforts encompass the preservation of Las Lomas, the protection of vital local wetlands, and the expansion of animal habitats. Through these initiatives, Rio Grande LNG underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship, balancing development with the responsible management of the region’s natural resources. While there are numerous pros and cons to consider, my primary responsibility as a County Commissioner is to ensure that I approach development with the utmost environmental sensitivity. The potential financial benefits for Cameron County are significant, particularly in terms of funding quality of life initiatives that directly impact our residents. My focus is on making a meaningful difference for the people of this county by securing the resources needed to invest in job creation and other environmentally sustainable projects. It is essential that we strike a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship, ensuring that our actions today lay the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future.”

~David A. Garza, Cameron County Commissioner, Precinct 3

The Rio Grande LNG project, led by NextDecade, not only complies with all regulatory requirements but also represents a substantial investment in our local economy and infrastructure. This project is poised to provide much-needed economic growth, job creation, and community development in an area that has long been economically underprivileged. The human environment—our community—is eager to partake in these opportunities, to improve livelihoods, and to build a brighter future.

Furthermore, the project involves a public-private partnership with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Brownsville to deepen the 17-mile channel from 42 feet to 52 feet. NextDecade is contributing over $400 million to this effort, which is crucial for accommodating larger vessels and enhancing the region’s capacity for international trade.

The deepening of the channel is crucial for expanding the Port of Brownsville’s capacity, which would attract further investments into the Rio Grande Valley. The dredging project represents more than an infrastructure improvement; it promises to open doors to new economic opportunities, foreign investments, and enhanced international trade that would significantly elevate the region’s standing and prosperity for years to come.”

~William Dietrich, Director & CEO, Port of Brownsville

As a Brownsville native who has been dedicated to serving the community my entire professional life, I have seen firsthand the socioeconomic challenges the Rio Grande Valley faces. A lack of infrastructure, investment, and development has hindered our participation in Texas’ powerful energy industry and other sectors that connect to global markets. When Rio Grande LNG and other industries identified the Port of Brownsville as their future home, our aspiration to break through the ceiling that has long loomed over our community looked to finally be a reality.

Since the beginning of Rio Grande LNG’s process in making the Port of Brownsville its home, it was clear to me that all of South Texas would benefit from this unique opportunity for a modern transformation. Our Port was in need of improvements to expand our capacity and attract new industries, such as deepening the Port of Brownsville’s ship channel to enhance its commercial capabilities. But the cost of such an expansion remained unfeasible until Rio Grande LNG came to the region and brought $18 billion dollars in project investment to the Port, including roughly $500 million to address our Ship Channel’s needs directly.

Developments like Rio Grande LNG are not just about building an LNG facility in our community, they are catalysts for a new era of economic growth and future prosperity for our children across the Rio Grande Valley. Beyond the much needed infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley, the most significant impact Rio Grande LNG and other projects in the region bring to our families and local businesses is the chance to build a promising future – a future centered around high-paying jobs, greater opportunities, and increased quality of life. Rio Grande LNG is the beginning of a transformation in our community that turns us into a global hub. Our future depends on it.”

~Eduardo (Eddie) Campirano, Former Port of Brownsville Director and CEO

The Rio Grande Valley Partnership proudly supports NextDecade and Rio Grande LNG’s development in our region. Their project will bring significant economic benefits, creating thousands of well-paying jobs for our local workforce and providing opportunities for workforce development and education. The capital investment in our region will not only boost our local economy but also enhance infrastructure and attract other companies, positioning the Rio Grande Valley as a hub for energy and industrial growth. This project represents a transformative opportunity, ensuring long-term economic stability and growth for our communities.

The development of NextDecade and Rio Grande LNG in the Rio Grande Valley is a game-changer, with the average wage for jobs associated with the project expected to reach $100,000. This level of income will significantly elevate the standard of living for many families in our region, creating more disposable income and stimulating local businesses across sectors such as retail, housing, and services.

Over the course of the 10-year project, the long-term impact will be profound. In addition to the direct jobs created, indirect jobs will emerge through supporting industries like construction, transportation, and supply chains. The influx of capital investment will improve regional infrastructure, positioning the Rio Grande Valley as a competitive destination for further industrial and commercial investments. This, in turn, will attract other companies and industries looking to capitalize on the region’s growing prominence, making the Rio Grande Valley a dynamic hub for economic development and opportunity for years to come.”

~Daniel Silva, President, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute – Brownsville

As a lifelong education administrator across the State of Texas, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible teachers and staff in setting the foundation for students to live a fulfilling life with a promising future. Having spent 19 years in Round Rock ISD, I’ve witnessed a school district’s enrollment increase from 9,000 to 44,000 students as a direct result from economic investment in the area by the private sector. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful economic investment can be and the benefits it can provide students, and I know that Rio Grande LNG and NextDecade are the partners that will provide those benefits to children right here in the Rio Grande Valley.

In recent years, Brownsville ISD and Rio Grande LNG have partnered to create curriculum that provides additional Career & Technical Education programs to ready our students for the budding workforce opportunities that the industry will bring. We’ve co-hosted community events, open houses, and established an internship pipeline for our students, allowing them to gather direct experience and visualize what a career here at home could entail. Additionally, NextDecade has displayed their commitment to our next generation through supporting 25 scholarships for Rio Grande Valley students pursuing STEM-based careers through the Stars Scholarship Fund.

Combining the reality of my Brownsville roots, my experience with NextDecade, and my observations in Round Rock, I can confidently say Rio Grande LNG and related projects are bringing this same hope for a stronger future to our backyard. It’s been evident we share a common vision for high-quality workforce opportunities for our students and, more importantly, to build a life in this region that they call home.”

~Dr. Jesus Chavez, Brownsville ISD Superintendent

As President and CEO of United Way of Southern Cameron County, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges our community faces due to poverty and limited opportunities. The Rio Grande LNG project presents a transformative opportunity to address these issues. With a projected $136.9 million in tax revenue, we could significantly enhance our educational programs, creating vital pathways to higher education and vocational training. Moreover, the thousands of well-paying jobs would offer much-needed financial security for families, stimulating our local economy and helping to reduce our region’s high poverty rates.

This project has the potential to catalyze generational change in southern Cameron County. It offers opportunities for students, provides stability for parents seeking financial security, and allows families to stay together as parents find well-paying jobs locally. While we acknowledge the environmental concerns surrounding the project, we also recognize Rio Grande LNG’s commitment to conservation efforts and regulatory compliance. Our community has long awaited an opportunity of this magnitude. The Rio Grande LNG project holds the promise of a brighter, more prosperous future for southern Cameron County – an opportunity we believe is crucial for the sustainable development of our region.”

~Wendy De Leon, President & CEO, United Way of Southern Cameron County

The majority of people living in and around Port Isabel and Brownsville support the continued development of the RGLNG project. The long-awaited arrival and construction of this project brought financial hope and the promise of a better quality of life for our citizens. This project is already providing numerous positive economic benefits to our local community and to the residents of the Laguna Madre area and Brownsville. These include well-paying jobs, opportunities for advanced education and technical skills development, and for some, family financial stability.

The economic significance of this project to our local community does not end there.”

~The Rotary Club of Port Isabel Board Members

Rio Grande LNG has the potential to create 5,000-6,000 construction jobs at its peak and 500 permanent positions once operational. These jobs represent significant opportunities for our community. Additionally, the project will result in the deepening of our channel, a crucial development for future generations. Although every venture carries some risks, we believe that the benefits to our people and the Valley’s economy far outweigh these concerns. This project is not just for one city—it’s a transformative opportunity for the entire Valley and a bright future for our workforce.”

~Rafael Vela, Executive Director, Workforce Solutions Cameron

In my 27 years as CEO of United Way of Southern Cameron County I worked every day to fight for the health, education and financial mobility of the people of southern Cameron County. It was an uphill battle, because the major barrier to people having better lives was, and is, poverty. More than 26% of our neighbors live in poverty compared to a national average of 11.5%. Access to quality healthcare, great educational outcomes and financial mobility are all linked to the availability of good jobs, and southern Cameron County has a long history of unemployment and underemployment. We have had few good jobs for our sizeable young labor force. Now, though, things are looking up.

About a year ago construction began on the Rio Grande LNG facility at the Port of Brownsville, and thousands of local workers don hard hats and safety vests every day, earning good wages as they contribute to the construction effort. This huge increase in local employment pays dividends not only for the workers’ families, but for the community at large. The billions of dollars pouring into Brownsville because of this project are life-changing, rippling through every sector of our economy, improving lives directly and indirectly.

Jobs are the most effective tool in our fight against poverty. Southern Cameron County needs Rio Grande LNG.”

~Traci Wickett, Retired Local Executive