Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Brownsville, Texas – Anchor Industrial, a $20 million joint venture between Carlos Garcia, CEO of Anchor Logistics, and Joaquín Spamer, President of CIL Group, has officially broken ground on a new logistics and cross-dock facility that leaders say will reshape the industrial landscape of Brownsville and the surrounding region.
The project will cover 176,300 square feet on an 11-acre site and is designed to meet growing demand for Class A industrial space. The facility will feature 58 dock doors, 37 truck parking spaces, 32-foot wall heights with a center height of 37 feet, and an ESFR fire protection system. Garcia emphasized that the project reflects the city’s vision of becoming a hub for logistics and advanced manufacturing.
“This project is not just about building walls or dock doors,” Garcia said. “It is about aligning with the vision of the city of Brownsville to become a leading hub for logistics and advanced manufacturing. Projects like Anchor Industrial generate new jobs, create opportunities for local businesses, and contribute to increased revenue for the city, fueling long-term growth and prosperity.”
Mayor John Cowan praised the investment, noting the critical shortage of high-quality industrial space in the city. “We are out of Class A and Class B space. There’s nothing available if you go and try to find space right now in Brownsville, and that’s a problem,” Cowan said. “We’re fortunate to have partners like Carlos and Joaquín that are willing to invest in our community. I think this will be the nicest logistics facility in the city of Brownsville. It’s a real testament to your vision and your commitment to our city.”
The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) also highlighted the project’s significance as a tool for attracting additional investment. “What Mr. Joaquín Spamer and Mr. Carlos Garcia are doing is simple, yet paramount in its implications,” said Gilberto Salinas, GBIC’s Executive Director. “They’re investing in the future of Brownsville. This facility is another tool in our toolbox to recruit companies, create jobs, and grow the tax base.”
Spamer emphasized the long-term commitment of the CIL Group to Brownsville’s growth, highlighting the competitive advantages that the project will bring. “We hope to continue investing more strongly in the city and to become one of the major investors in this industrial park. This project gives us the speed we are looking for to grow vertically, not horizontally,” Spamer said, emphasizing the project’s regional impact.
Other speakers pointed to the broader economic momentum in the region. Guillermo Rico, representing the Port of Brownsville, cited Rio Grande LNG as an example of industrial growth fueled by local talent. “More than 70% of the 4,000 workers currently employed at Rio Grande LNG are local,” Rico said. “This demonstrates that Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley have a skilled and prepared labor force ready to meet the demands of major projects.”
The Anchor Industrial project represents not only a significant private-sector investment but also a partnership between public institutions and business leaders that community officials believe will bring jobs, infrastructure, and long-term economic resilience to Brownsville. Texas National Bank provides financing for this project
