Local Economy

The largest employers include Keppel AmFELs, Convergys Corp., Valley Baptist Medical Center- Brownsville, Valley Regional Medical Center, Trico Products Corporation, ORC Industries, Rich SeaPak, Dillard's, National Electric Coil, Duro Bag Manufacturing Company, and Unique Molded Products, Silver Eagle Bus Manufacturing, Tella Tool and Manufacturing Company, Esco Marine, Inc., and T-Mobile, USA.

Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport has jet service provided by Continental Airlines. The airport is home to the largest Free Trade Zone in the United States. Valley International Airport, in nearby Harlingen, is serviced by Southwest Airlines and Continental Express.

The Port of Brownsville is a true deep water port, including one of the largest turning basins on the Gulf of Mexico and the largest shrimp boat fleet in America. At the Port of Brownsville, the land transportation of Mexico is linked with the Inland Waterway System of the United States, feeding a thriving maritime industry.

Brownsville continues to be a center of international trade and finance with a bustling manufacturing zone in nearby Matamoros, Mexico, NAFTA fueled commerce, and soon "to be designated" I-69, now US 77/83.