BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cameron County commissioners approved a tax abatement Tuesday for Saronic Technologies as the company considers the Port of Brownsville for a proposed $3.2 billion shipbuilding facility.
The project, labeled as 'Port Alpha,' would provide the Austin-based technology company with a 95% property tax abatement across four phases of development tied to the company's planned investment in the Rio Grande Valley. County officials estimate the incentive package is valued at approximately $211 million beginning in 2029.
County Commissioners previously postponed action on the tax abatement before revisiting the proposal Tuesday. The measure was approved with all commissioners present voting in favor. Two commissioners were absent from the meeting.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. released a press release Tuesday where he stated that the next-generation shipbuilding facility aims to bring 10,000 jobs to the county if the project selects the region.
"After months of negotiation, due diligence, and collaboration, we are proud to approve these agreements and demonstrate to Saronic that we believe in their project and invite them to plant roots in Cameron County," Treviño stated. "I’m proud of the Commissioners’ Court for understanding what is at stake and voting to support these agreements. This is exactly the kind of investment that positions Cameron County as a statewide and national leader in innovation and workforce excellence."
The company has projected the jobs it will provide the community to have an average annual salary of about $100,000. The incentive package with Saronic Technologies requires 35% of the project's workforce to be hired locally. The company would also be required to partner with Workforce Solutions Cameron and two educational institutions, host six job and vendor fairs and provide workforce reports to the Texas Workforce Commission.
"Cameron County has experienced exceptional growth over recent years, and the potential addition of Saronic Technologies will build on that momentum," Treviño stated. "The company would become the first in Cameron County dedicated to producing intelligent, autonomous maritime vessels and ships, often referred to as maritime drones."
The company is still considering sites in Virginia and has not announced a final site selection decision.
