Can Cesar de Leon Jumpstart the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation?

Commissioner Cesar de Leon

"Contrary to any rumors you may have heard, I'm not here to fire anyone," explained Cesar de Leon when introduced by tepid GBIC Board Chairman David Betancourt.  

That disclaimer and its implications set the tone for Thursday's GBIC Board Meeting at the Itec Center.  BEDC  Board President/CEO Jason Hilts got the subtle message: "We want to work with you," he replied.

Jessica Tetreau, one of three city commissioners, along with De Leon and Debbie Portillo, now on the five member board, was emboldened to state: "I don't know why we are spending all that money on an office in Colombia.  Why can't we work more closely with Mexico, our neighbor?"(El Rrun Rrun reports $314,438 spent to date renting and staffing the Colombian office.)

"We no longer have an employee in Colombia," Jason Hilts blurted out.  "We've been having some of these same conversations among ourselves. There was a time when if we tried to cultivate industry in Matamoros, the City Commission would say 'Why aren't you doing this in Brownsville?'"

Martin "Bob" Metzger

Attorney Noe Robles signed up for public comment simply to introduce Martin "Bob" Metzger, CFO for the Gateway Global Group. According to Robles, Metztger's group plans to build a "four star hotel" in Brownsville. Somewhat cynical, I googled "Gateway Global Group" once home, finding a substantial company with luxury condos, apartments, homes, etc. in several states as well as in Brownsville, TX.

Cesar de Leon chastised the BEDC(The BEDC's role is to vet items for the GBIC to approve and fund.) for not providing documentation for some of the items presented for approval:  "I don't care if Jesus Christ wants something approved, I'm voting 'No!' without some kind of report."

Oscar Garcia, Jr., the "Project Engineer" for Jacobs Engineering, called to ask that the agenda item asking for more funding be tabled, possibly being spooked by De Leon, Tetreau et al. 

Hilts in between pumping Project Sizzle, Project Roman, Project Ranger, etc. mentioned Project Front Door, a new commercial mall planned for across the interstate from Rancho Viejo.