August 24, 2026 Community Update

Four new awards. Seventeen IEDC honors since 2021. All Brownsville.

BCIC received four 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council:

🥇 Gold: BCIC Strategic Plan 2025-2029
🥈 Silver: Quality of Life Grants
🥈 Silver: FY 2024 and FY 2025 Annual Report
🥉 Bronze: What the Permit? / Permitting Made Simple Series

Selected through two rounds of judging, BCIC’s four wins came from a competitive field that distributed 226 awards among 140 organizations.

These honors belong to the residents, businesses, community organizations, staff, and partners who help shape and carry this work forward. Together, we are showing that Brownsville’s ideas, investments, and progress can stand among the best in the field.

¿Tienes una idea de negocio, pero no sabes cómo empezar?

¿Ya tienes un negocio y quieres organizarlo mejor o prepararte para crecer?

La próxima clase de eBridge Business Academy, antes conocida como Blueprint Business Program, se ofrecerá en español y en inglés del 8 al 29 de septiembre de 2026.

Las sesiones serán los martes y jueves, de 4:00 a 7:00 p.m., en el eBridge Center.

Durante siete sesiones, vas a trabajar tu idea junto con instructores y otros emprendedores de Brownsville. Aprenderás a identificar a tu cliente, definir tu propuesta de valor, entender las finanzas y operaciones de tu negocio, y prepararte para lanzar o crecer.

No necesitas tener un negocio registrado ni llegar con un plan terminado. El programa es gratuito, pero debes asistir a todas las sesiones en persona.

Patrocinado por BCIC y facilitado por el UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center. El cupo es limitado.

Not sure where to start with BCIC’s programs? We’ve rebuilt our Find Your Program tool to make the answer easier.

Complete a short questionnaire about your business or project, and we’ll help identify the BCIC programs that may fit your needs. That could include funding for equipment or property improvements, financing for your business, support for an early-stage venture, or grants for community projects.

At an announcement held at The Mitte, Rear Admiral Paul Jung, M.D., Deputy Surgeon General, joined local leaders to announce Brownsville as one of four communities nationwide selected for Great Health for America.

The $32 million, two-year initiative will bring federal resources and public health expertise into four pilot communities. Each community is expected to receive $4 million annually and support from two U.S. Public Health Service officers, with a focus on child nutrition and preventing pediatric chronic disease.

Brownsville enters this initiative with decades of community health work already in place. BCIC recently strengthened that work by serving as the 2026 title sponsor of The Challenge-RGV, part of Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta!, which gives residents free access to exercise classes, gyms, health screenings, cooking classes, and community events.

That sustained work has accompanied measurable progress. UTHealth Houston data found that Type 2 diabetes prevalence in our regional cohort declined from 30 percent in 2010 to 25 percent by 2020. Great Health for America gives Brownsville an opportunity to build on that progress and extend community-led prevention efforts to the next generation.

Built something cool? Bring it to Maker Faire Brownsville!

Applications are now open for makers, students, schools, clubs, nonprofits, tech teams, and anyone with a project worth putting in front of a crowd during Space Fest 2026.

They’re looking for projects in space and aerospace, robotics, coding, environmental science, hands-on STEM, and plenty more. Interactive exhibits are especially encouraged, so if people can see it, test it, build with it, or learn from it, even better.

Maker Faire Brownsville will take place during Space Fest, September 24 through 26, 2026, at the George Ramirez Performing Arts Academy.

This is your chance to show Brownsville what you made. Applications are open now.

BCIC’s 5-Year Roadmap is Live

Our BCIC 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is based on your input about what Brownsville needs most: quality of life upgrades, business support, downtown revival, and opportunities that keep talent home. View it here.

BIG Downtown Business Grants

Revitalize downtown Brownsville! If you’re a property owner or tenant, the BIG Program offers matching grants to support your commercial renovations. Make a difference in the heart of our city: brownsvillecic.com/big

Business Financing

Access funding designed for Brownsville entrepreneurs and small businesses. The eBridge Fund provides accessible financing options for those unable to secure traditional loans or seeking better rates. Get started here: ebridgefund.com