Rio Grande LNG Drives Employment and Investment in the Rio Grande Valley, Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Port of Brownsville

With more than 6,000 workers currently building its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal—and a workforce expected to reach approximately 7,500 at the peak of construction—Rio Grande LNG, developed by NextDecade, has become one of the most significant private investment projects in South Texas. The project is generating substantial economic benefits through job creation, regional development, and strategic infrastructure improvements at the Port of Brownsville.

During the inauguration of the Brazos Island Harbor Navigation Channel Improvement Project, NextDecade Chief Operating Officer Tarik Skeik highlighted that more than 70% of the workforce involved in constructing the terminal lives in the Rio Grande Valley, allowing thousands of skilled workers to access specialized employment opportunities without leaving the region.

He also announced that once the project's first phase—consisting of five liquefaction trains—becomes operational, the company expects to create more than 700 permanent jobs. That number could increase if the planned expansion of the terminal with five additional liquefaction trains moves forward.

Skeik emphasized that NextDecade's commitment to South Texas extends beyond the construction of its LNG facility by supporting investments that promote job creation, education, and environmental stewardship.

NextDecade Helped Finance the Dredging of the Port of Brownsville Channel

Skeik explained that the development of Rio Grande LNG has also served as a catalyst for strengthening the Port of Brownsville's logistics infrastructure through its role as a strategic partner in the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Navigation Channel Improvement Project.

He recalled that in 2019, NextDecade signed a landmark agreement with the Brownsville Navigation District to finance 100% of the first phase of the channel dredging project, becoming one of the first public-private partnerships developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"We made this investment because we recognized from the very beginning the opportunity this project represented—not only for LNG operations, but for the entire region," he said.

The executive explained that deepening the navigation channel from 42 to 52 feet will accommodate larger vessels, increase cargo capacity, strengthen supply chains, and enhance the competitiveness of the Port of Brownsville as a strategic gateway for international trade, the energy sector, and advanced manufacturing.

He added that the upgraded infrastructure will also help attract new domestic and international investment, expand access to global markets, and reinforce South Texas as a strategic location for industrial and logistics development.

A Long-Term Vision for Regional Growth

Skeik noted that the partnership between the public and private sectors was instrumental in delivering a project that had remained in the planning stage for nearly two decades and now represents a major catalyst for economic growth in the Rio Grande Valley.

He concluded by recognizing the collaboration of the Brownsville Navigation District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and federal and state authorities involved in the project, stating that both the upgraded navigation channel and Rio Grande LNG will strengthen the competitiveness of the Port of Brownsville while creating new opportunities for investment, employment, and economic development across the region for decades to come.