Press Release: U.S. EDA Grants $900,000 to BCIC

Brownsville, Texas – Tuesday, September 24th, 2019.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $900,000 grant to the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) of Brownsville, Texas, towards the establishment of a state-of-the-art entrepreneurial center towards the growth of technology-based entrepreneurial ventures. The project will renovate an approximately 18,000 sq. ft. portion of the second floor in the Casa del Nylon Building and will be matched with $1.4 million in local funds.

“We at BCIC believe in the capacity of the human capital in our community” says Nathan Burkhart, Director of Marketing & Small Business Development for the BCIC. “ The eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization will mobilize the next generation of entrepreneurs and equip them with the skills and resources they need to create jobs, access capital, and scale commercially – all while remaining in our community.”

In partnership with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Economic Development Council, City of Brownsville, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center, Small Business Administration, United States Economic Development Administration, Office of Congressman Filemon Vela, Office of Senator Ted Cruz, and the Office of Senator John Cornyn, the eBridge Center will be able to provide entrepreneurs access to all the fundamental resources to succeed.

“BCIC recognizes how entrepreneurship stimulates job growth, creates new opportunities in industries that need them, and makes communities better versions of themselves.” says Michael J. Limas, Chairman of the Board. “There is no clear path to entrepreneurship, but at BCIC we’re trying to change that.”

The eBridge Center will focus on businesses seeking advancement in the areas of manufacturing, technology, aerospace, and automation. “This project was only a success because of the partnerships we had,” says Burkhart, “we’re extremely proud of this collaboration and are so happy to give back to the community.”