How the Brownsville Economic Development Council Fails Brownsville, But Serves Carlos Marin

BEDC President Jason Hilts

Some years ago, while working in a union shop, a co-worker divulged a novel form of work slowdown:  "Jim, you and the others hustle around all day, walking fast, pretending to work, but not actually doing anything.  Anytime the supervisor looks in, he sees you and the rest of your team working, but he can't figure out why nothing seems to get done."

This long ago conversation came to mind last night as I listened once more to Jason Hilts recount the hundreds of jobs, dozens of companies coming "soon" to Brownsville through the efforts of the Brownsville Economic Development Council.  

While the BEDC staffers scurry around the planet(16 trips to Colombia alone in the last 3 years) spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on travel alone, Brownsville somehow remains the country's "poorest city,"17 years of busy work, millions of dollars of 4A funding squandered with negligible economic development.

A half-occupied old Titan Tire building and a multi-million dollar industrial park with no tenants testify to the council's impotence.

After last night's meeting of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, the BEDC's symbiotic partner, releasing the funds for the projects the council recommends, new GBIC board member Cesar de Leon showed me a graph comparison of sales tax revenue for Harlingen, Brownsville and McAllen.  Harlingen and Brownsville were relatively close on the bar graph with McAllen soaring much higher.

GBIC Board Member Cesar de Leon

"Forget McAllen.  Just look at Harlingen and Brownsville. Harlingen has a population of 63,000 with Brownsville easily at 180,000, yet the sales tax revenue generated is fairly close.  We should triple their revenue based on the size of our city, not to mention the close proximity to Matamoros," explained De Leon.

During last night's GBIC meeting De Leon chided the BEDC for not communicating with the City Commission about projects being pursued and objectives:  "I've been on the City Commission for six months but not once did I receive even a phone call from the BEDC until it was learned that I was coming on this board.  How can we work with you if you do not communicate?"

De Leon also explained that he did not intend to serve permanently on the GBIC board.  "Once we get this thing rolling, I will gladly resign."

THE CARLOS MARIN FACTOR

Carlos Marin, Ambiotec Engineering, United Brownsville
Coordinating Board

Local bloggers and knowledgeable citizens understand how the BEDC/GBIC tandem is crippled by the undue influence and manipulation of Ambiotec President Carlos Marin.  Marin, along with his compadres in the United Brownsville scam want actual control over industrial development at the Port of Brownsville and the corridor along FM 550. 

Marin, represented by a colleague who worked with him on the $1,000,000 Imagine Brownsville plan, Robin McCaffrey, pushed through the GBIC a development plan for the industrial corridor.  The plan was unanimously approved by the GBIC without a single mention of the cost to the taxpayers.  After repeated calls to former GBIC board member Ruben Gallegos, Jr. we finally learned the cost, $454,592.08. 

Marin's hand could next be discerned in an agenda item to award Jacobs Engineering $750,000 to "implement" the $454,000 plan.  Jacobs Engineering was the "only" firm to respond the the GBIC's request for proposal and the firm insisted on the hiring of Oscar Garcia, Jr. as "Project Engineer," despite the young man having zero experience in that role.  Young Garcia, a former employee of Marin and son of United Brownsville Coordinating Board member Juliet Garcia, revealed Marin's obvious manipulation.

Marin's influence was still obvious at last night's GBIC meeting in at least three items on the agenda.  Jacobs Engineering was listed for "approval of payment" although Oscar Garcia, Jr. called to have the matter tabled.  VIDA, a charity routinely funded $25,000 per month(Marin is listed on the Board of Directors) received their money for December.  A firm named South Texas Electric Corporation was given permission for an easement at the North Brownsville Industrial Park. Interestingly, they were represented by an engineer from Ambiotec, Marin's firm.  It must be nice to have your own personal economic development council.