Feature Photo: From left: BND Secretary John Reed, BND Commissioner Ernesto Gutierrez, BND Chairman Esteban “Steve” Guerra, BND Commissioner John Wood, and BND Vice Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez stand united for the announcement of the America First Refinery Project at the Port of Brownsville Administration Office. Image: Port of Brownsville.
Posted: 3-15-2026
by Art Benavidez
Brownsville (Cameron County) — A major refinery project is planned at the Port of Brownsville that would mark the first new oil refinery built along the U.S. Gulf Coast in nearly five decades.
Developer America First Refining plans to construct the facility on more than 240 acres within the port complex, with a groundbreaking ceremony expected in April. The refinery will process 100% domestic shale oil using hydrogen-powered refining technology designed to produce ultra-low-carbon fuels. The project represents one of the largest industrial investments in South Texas in recent years.
The refinery is expected to create about 500 permanent full-time jobs once operational, with salaries ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 annually. Thousands of additional jobs are anticipated during construction and through supporting sectors such as logistics, maintenance, and industrial services tied to the project.
Officials with the Brownsville Navigation District said the port’s deepwater access, rail connections, foreign trade zone designation, and cargo-handling infrastructure helped position the site as an ideal location for the refinery. The port has worked for more than a decade to position the project for development.
The refinery will be built within the rapidly expanding industrial corridor at the port, which already supports large-scale manufacturing, energy, and logistics operations. The facility will also incorporate emissions-reduction technologies and advanced fuel-processing systems intended to meet or exceed federal and state environmental standards. Developers are currently working with regulatory agencies to secure the required environmental permits before construction can begin.
The project further strengthens the Port of Brownsville’s role as a strategic energy and trade gateway for North American supply chains, particularly given its proximity to manufacturing and industrial markets in Mexico. Officials say the refinery could significantly expand cross-border energy and industrial flows between the United States and Mexico, reinforcing the Rio Grande Valley’s growing role in regional logistics and heavy industry.
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