From left to right: 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 Projectat the Port of Brownsville Administration Office on Wednesday, Mar. 11.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Mar. 11, 2026) — The Port of Brownsville has announced plans for the America First Refining project, a major energy investment that would establish the first new oil refinery built along the U.S. Gulf Coast in nearly five decades.
The proposed refinery will be developed on more than 240 acres within the port and is designed to process 100% domestically produced shale oil using advanced hydrogen-powered technologies aimed at producing ultra-low-carbon transportation fuels.
Project developers say the facility is expected to create approximately 500 direct full-time jobs, with annual salaries ranging from $80,000 to $100,000, along with thousands of additional indirect positions across construction, logistics and long-term operations.
Port leadership noted that the development reflects the region’s long-term industrial growth strategy and strengthens South Texas’ position as a key hub for energy production and logistics.
The Port of Brownsville offers a range of strategic advantages for large-scale industrial projects, including deepwater channel access, multimodal transportation connectivity, foreign trade zone benefits and extensive industrial land availability.
Company representatives said environmental performance will be a central component of the refinery’s design, with plans to integrate advanced clean-fuel systems and hydrogen-powered processes intended to reduce emissions and meet regulatory standards.
The project remains subject to federal, state and local permitting processes, with development timelines to be announced as regulatory milestones are achieved.
Regional economic development officials said the refinery has the potential to generate significant long-term economic impact, reinforcing the Rio Grande Valley’s role in energy infrastructure and industrial manufacturing.
The Port of Brownsville is one of the fastest-growing industrial corridors on the Gulf Coast, serving as a major multimodal gateway supporting trade, logistics and energy sector investment.
