BROWNSVILLE, TX - August 1, 2024 - The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has released its comprehensive Fiscal Year 2022 & 2023 Annual Report, detailing substantial achievements in economic development, entrepreneurship support, community development, and quality of life enhancement initiatives.
The annual report highlights significant accomplishments across BCIC's diverse program portfolio:
Community Development:
- $2,336,039 in property improvement investment
- $2,817,245 invested in Quality of Life programs
- 682 full and part-time jobs created or retained
- $27,376,163 in private investment fostered
Finance Programs:
- $2,973,950 in business financing funds disbursed
- 162 business projects funded
Entrepreneurship & Innovation:
- Grand opening of the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization
- 80+ companies launched since the eBridge Center's opening on March 9, 2023
- 950 businesses served since 2019 through partnerships like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the City of Brownsville, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and other key players.
BCIC President & CEO Cori Peña emphasizes the organization's mission:
"Reflecting on the remarkable journey of the past two years, I am immensely proud of the strides we have made in advancing Brownsville’s economic landscape. Inside this edition of the report is a testament to our community's resilience, innovation, and collaborative spirit. It captures the transformative impact of our initiatives, from the successful launch of the eBridge Center to the growth of our Quality of Life and BIG Grant programs."
Peña added, "Together, we are building a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous Brownsville where every individual and business has the opportunity to thrive. I extend my gratitude to our partners, stakeholders, and community members for their support and commitment to our shared vision.“
Throughout the years, BCIC's achievements have garnered multiple recognitions from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), including:
- Gold Award in Entrepreneurship (2021)
- Silver Excellence Award in Neighborhood Development (2022)
- Bronze Award for Entrepreneurship (2022)
- Gold Award for Partnerships with Educational Institutions (2023)
- Bronze Award for Best Use of Federal Economic Development Resources (2023)
"Behind every statistic in this report is a story of local entrepreneurship, community collaboration, and shared vision. We're proud to share these stories and invite everyone to be part of Brownsville's exciting future," said Nelson Amaro, Director of Marketing & Communications at BCIC. "The FY 2022 & 2023 Annual Report has been submitted for consideration in the Annual Report category of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2024 Excellence Awards. We are confident that not only our work in the community is worthy of international recognition, but also the way we communicate it," he added.
BCIC encourages community members, stakeholders, and potential investors to review the report to understand the organization's impact and future direction comprehensively. The BCIC FY 2022 & 2023 Annual Report, featuring detailed program breakdowns, success stories, and financial data, is available through this link.