Texas A&M Rio Grande Valley Hub Expands to Boost Advanced Manufacturing Skills

In the city of Brownsville, Texas, stands the only the Texas A&M Rio Grande Valley Advanced Manufacturing Hub (RAMI), through state funding this program offers free training and workshops to the workforce to industries in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, promoting innovation and technology, which are fundamental pillars for the development of the manufacturing industry. 

RAMI covers a wide range of areas, including the manufacturing, technological, mechanical, and electrical-electronic sectors, among others. The courses are designed to address topics of interest such as supervision, safety, operational skills, and cybersecurity, covering various disciplines. 

Located near the Port of Brownsville, the program aims to prepare professionals to face the challenges of modern industry and to equip the next generation of students to be more competitive in the job market. RAMI's impact has benefited the counties of Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy, Texas, as well as the new generations of students who are showing a growing interest in participating in the industry. 

The activities offered at RAMI are customized according to the specific needs of the region's companies. They also adapt to different modalities, whether virtual or in-person, allowing for greater flexibility and access. According to Héctor Hernández and Abel Campos, Project Managers I and II of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), "The goal of this space is to strengthen the region's workforce, enhance the skills demanded by the manufacturing sector, prepare professionals and new generations, and boost the local economy." 

RAMI Expansion: A New 30,000-Square-Foot Building 

RAMI was established in 2021 with financial support from the state of Texas, and since then, it has benefited dozens of companies, training more than 18,000 participants in its various programs, workshops, and courses. The demand for its services has been increasing, which is why in the second quarter of 2024, a $30 million investment was announced for the expansion of the center. 

This project includes the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot building, located right next to the current facilities. Hernández and Campos emphasized the benefits that this expansion will bring to the region, which include more training capacity in new technologies such as additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, and cybersecurity.

Additionally, specialized courses will be offered in safety protocols, quality controls, leadership, communication, and other essential skills that companies require. 

One of the most notable aspects of RAMI is that the activities are completely free for companies, their employees, and students in the Rio Grande Valley. "The only investment they need to make is time," Hernández and Campos noted, highlighting the program commitment to regional development.

The new building is expected to be completed early 2026, further solidifying RAMI as a fundamental pillar in the training and development of the region's workforce, driving economic growth and technological development in the Rio Grande Valley.