THE START OF OUR JOURNEY

Area businessmen assembled at various office buildings in downtown Brownsville. This is the earliest known and recorded Chamber activity.

ADVOCACY EFFORTS STARTED

The Chamber initiated discussions on the need for a permanent road to Boca Chica Beach, the advantages of attracting a second railroad, and opening a junior college. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF JUNIOR COLLEGE

Texas Southmost College was initially created in 1926 as The Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Originally created as an extension of the local independent school district in Brownsville, Texas, its first classes were held in the fall of 1926 in the local high school building. 

THE JOURNEY TAKES FLIGHT

The Chamber built its 1st office located on Elizabeth St. In addition, the Chamber’s Aviation Committee informed the City Commission about the economic potential of having an airport, and urged that an election be called to authorize a bond issue for airport construction.

AIRPORT OPENING

Pan American establishes its base at the airport and becomes the largest employer in Brownsville for 30 years. 

THE LARGEST ECONOMIC ENGINE IN BROWNSVILLE

As the Port of Brownsville neared completion, inquires from companies interested in doing business at the Port flood in and the Chamber served as the clearing house by handling more than 2,000 letters pertaining to Port Matters.

TRADITION IN THE MAKING

The Chamber begins operating as a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide and maintain a suitable location for the conduct of its business, to acquire, preserve and disseminate valuable business information, to promote the interest of trade and increase facilities of commercial transactions.

Charro Days is established by a Chamber member and the Chamber helps organize the first festival to create a more positive mood during difficult economic times. 

UTILITIES MANAGEMENT

Concern over Brownsville-owned electric utilities led the Chamber to advocate for change in utilities management.  

BOCA CHICA BLVD.

As Boca Chica Blvd. expanded to four lanes, adjoining property owners were required to pay for the cost of curb and gutters along their property and the Chamber was requested to assist in signing up property owners for this project.

UNIDOS EN TRADICIONES SIN FRONTERAS

Brownsville Chamber of Commerce leaders gathered to discuss a method of developing and implementing a project that would promote relations between the United States and Mexico. This initiative is known as the Mr. Amigo Association.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Lindsey Rhodes worked for the Chamber as the Director of Industrial Development. During this time the Brownsville/Matamoros area saw major growth as an industrial location generating more than 50,000 jobs. The combined population of the two cities grew from 200 to 460 thousand. In the early days of the maquiladora program, the Chamber was heavily involved in handling the paperwork with Rachel Torres doing the translating.

CRIME CONTROL PROGRAM

Brownsville Crime Stoppers was created in 1982 from the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and the Brownsville Police Department.

BUILDING BRONWSVILLE’S ECONOMIC & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Chamber worked to establish the Brownsville Economic Development Council, the Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and initiated the Leadership Brownsville Program.

It was later decided that these new entities would be more effective with their own staff concentrating solely on economic development and conventions & tourism.

ADVOCATING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The Chamber endorsed legislation establishing the University of Texas at Brownsville.

IMPROVING CROSS BORDER RELATIONS

As problems along the border arose with too much congestion on the two bridges and a proposal to shut down the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, the Chamber addressed the essential services rendered by the Consulate. 

ADVOCATING FOR A STATE PARK

The Chamber negotiated in the World Birding Center, and the advocacy efforts resulted in Brownsville being the home of the Resaca de la Palma State Park. 

VISION 2000

Vision 2000 later known as Imagine Brownsville branched into two entities Healthy Communities of Brownsville and United Brownsville which work to improve community life in the areas of recycling, litter, Resaca restoration, and health literacy. 

SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Brownsville Chamber established the Women’s Business Center Rio Grande Valley and counseled over 200 clients and trained over 1,000 entrepreneurs. The program’s outcomes resulted in 26 new business startups, 49 new jobs created, and over $351,500 in access to capital with an economic footprint of $476,000. 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 80th Anniversary and co-hosted the first International Trade Symposium with the Brownsville Navigation District (Port of Brownsville), Brownsville Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  

THE CALL TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

The Brownsville Chamber in partnership with the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation in support of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation supported local businesses through the COVID-19 Rapid Response Small Business Assistance Program.

CREATING A DIGITALLY-EMPOWERED COMMUNITY

The Brownsville Chamber in partnership with the City of Brownsville and Connect BTX established a committee whose mission it is to advance digital equality and economic growth through strategic partnerships that promote a thriving and digitally-empowered community.

NATIONAL CIVICS PRIDE FOR THE RGV AND ITS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce was selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host one of six inaugural National Civics Bee competitions. The Brownsville Civics Bee lead the Nation when over 400 local middle school students competed in a first-round essay competition.