Beyond the Launch: Building South Texas’ Manufacturing Future

South Texas’ space economy is creating opportunities that reach into factory floors, technical classrooms, and local supplier networks. At the Greater Brownsville Space Summit on November 4, speakers explored what it will take to turn major industrial investment into sustained growth for regional companies and workers. 

Their presentations connected rocket production with a broader manufacturing agenda: developing skilled talent, strengthening suppliers, and preparing communities for increasingly complex industrial operations.

Building the Capacity Behind Industrial Growth

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. described the scale of Starbase’s regional presence, citing approximately $6 billion in capital investment, 2 million square feet of manufacturing space, and roughly 5,000 employees. He said approximately 84% of the workforce came from South Texas and referenced more than 500 local vendors, suppliers, and contractors supporting industry growth.

Those figures illustrated how a major industrial operation can generate demand beyond its own workforce, creating opportunities for businesses that provide materials, services, and specialized expertise.

“Our responsibility as a community is to continue building the workforce, educational partnerships, infrastructure, and business environment that will allow this industry to grow and succeed for decades to come,” Cowen said.

His remarks placed education and infrastructure alongside investment as essential conditions for continued expansion.

Aerospace Careers Begin with Practical Skills

Sean Takacs of SpaceX offered a production-level perspective on the region’s manufacturing capabilities. He described leading a team of more than 20 technicians and welders, almost all from the Rio Grande Valley, and explained how experience in pipelines and oil rigs could transfer into rocket production.

“Not everyone out there is an engineer,” Takacs said.

His presentation highlighted the range of occupations supporting advanced manufacturing, including welders, electricians, technicians, quality inspectors, and logistics personnel. He also explained the role of metrology—the science of measurement—in ensuring that equipment produces accurate components.

Takacs’ progression from equipment maintenance into production supervision and metrology demonstrated how practical industrial experience can support advancement into specialized responsibilities. For South Texas workers, his account showed that participation in aerospace can build on skills already present in the region.

Connecting Major Projects to Local Opportunity

Gilberto Salinas, president and CEO of Greater Brownsville EDC, described an industrial economy developing across several complementary sectors.

“Let’s not forget this is manufacturing, it’s research, it’s testing, and it’s also a launch site,” Salinas said of Starbase.

He cited approximately $24 billion in capital investment associated with projects announced over roughly the preceding year and a half, with more than 17,000 projected direct jobs as those developments advance.

Among the projects discussed was Saronic Technologies’ planned Port Alpha shipyard at the Port of Brownsville. The project represents a planned $3.2 billion investment and an anticipated 10,000 jobs at full buildout, according to GBEDC’s announcement.

Salinas described the importance of coordinating school districts, universities, community colleges, trade schools, and workforce organizations to prepare for future hiring. The occupations involved span welders, pipefitters, riggers, engineers, programmers, and artificial intelligence specialists.

His presentation also outlined how different parts of the region can support industrial development—from supplier operations in industrial parks and light manufacturing near the airport to maritime production along the ship channel, energy projects, and rocket manufacturing at Starbase.

Collaboration Makes Growth Sustainable

Nathan Ohle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council, emphasized the relationships needed to connect investment with community opportunity.

“The places that figure out how do we collaborate, connect, and equip businesses and the community to excel and support one another are the places that are really going to grow and thrive,” Ohle said.

He connected economic development with education, employment, housing, and childcare, underscoring how these needs influence a community’s ability to support business expansion.

Norman Garza Jr., executive director of the Texas Space Commission, reinforced the breadth of the space economy, including manufacturing, research, testing, and supporting technologies. That wider perspective creates multiple entry points for students and businesses interested in the sector.

Preparing the Next Generation

Former NASA astronaut and engineer José Hernández brought the workforce discussion back to individual ambition and preparation.

“It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is where you want to go,” Hernández said.

Drawing on his journey from a migrant farmworker family to spaceflight, he emphasized education, persistence, and the importance of strengthening qualifications after setbacks. He also encouraged students to develop skills relevant to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Together, the presentations showed how South Texas can build greater industrial depth around its major investments. Preparing skilled workers, helping local suppliers meet industry needs, and strengthening partnerships between employers and educators can keep more of that opportunity in the region—supporting a manufacturing economy with lasting value for businesses and families.