BROWNSVILLE, Texas — April 29, 2026 — The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) and the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC) will host a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in Brownsville to commemorate the opening of the Blueprint Lab, the space located on the second floor of the eBridge Center. The event is organized in partnership with the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
The Blueprint Lab is the eBridge Center’s prototyping and R&D space. The new equipment includes a Modix large-format 3D printer, Bambu desktop 3D printers, CNC machining tools, and vinyl design systems, giving entrepreneurs, UTRGV students, and industry partners the tools to design, test, and refine physical products locally. The Modix large-format printer enables users to produce oversized, single-piece prototypes that would typically require outsourcing to larger markets, while the desktop printers and CNC tools support rapid prototyping, small-batch manufacturing, and design education.
“This is about more than opening a lab, it’s about changing what’s possible in Brownsville. With the Blueprint Lab, we are giving entrepreneurs, students, and innovators access to the kind of tools and technology, including large-format 3D printing, that allow ideas to move from concept to reality right here in our community. We’re reducing barriers, accelerating innovation, and creating a space where people can build, test, and grow without having to leave the region.”— Cori Peña, President & CEO, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation
“The Blueprint Lab represents a strategic investment in Brownsville’s future. By equipping our community with advanced prototyping capabilities, including industrial-scale 3D printing, we are strengthening our ability to attract, develop, and retain talent while supporting the growth of small businesses and new industries. This is the kind of infrastructure that drives long-term economic competitiveness.”— Cesar Lopez, Board Chair, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation
“This partnership with BCIC embodies the power of regional collaboration. The makerspace at eBridge will serve as a hub for innovation, where UTRGV students, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs can work side by side to turn ideas into solutions that benefit Brownsville and the entire region.”— Veronica Gonzales, Senior Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations, UTRGV
The Blueprint Lab is open to eBridge Center members and program participants. The eBridge Center is located at 1304 E. Adams St. in Brownsville. For more information, visit ebridgecenter.com.
About Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC)
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development corporation. It is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting strategic projects, and cultivating partnerships that support Brownsville’s thriving and vibrant community. BCIC operates under four core pillars. The first is Community Development, achieved through initiatives like the BIG Grants, which support the revitalization and preservation of Historic Downtown Brownsville, and the Quality of Life Grants, designed to enhance the community’s well-being. These grants fund projects that create welcoming and inclusive spaces, improve amenities, and promote activities that benefit residents and visitors. The second pillar is Finance Programs, which support local small businesses by providing financial resources to help them start or expand. This, in turn, creates jobs with livable wages, contributing to the overall economic stability of the region. The third pillar is Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where BCIC supports the entrepreneurial journey with incubation, acceleration, and continuous assistance. Lastly, BCIC’s Marketing and Communications efforts drive public engagement by amplifying the impact of programs, fostering community pride, and promoting Brownsville as an attractive hub for living, working, and investing. For more information, visit www.brownsvillecic.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Nelson I. Amaro at namaro@brownsvillecic.com or (956) 538-1910