The City Commission authorized the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) on Oct. 21 to expend up to $150,000 in Type B funds to support a high‑demand job training program in partnership with Workforce Solutions Cameron and Texas Southmost College (TSC).

A BCIC representative described the program as a pipeline to prepare Brownsville residents for construction and manufacturing careers, with coursework to include NCCER core and pipefitter levels 1 and 2 and OSHA certificates delivered at TSC’s ITEC facility. The BCIC presentation said Workforce Solutions has contributed approximately $140,000 for equipment, materials and supplies, BCIC would provide up to $150,000 for scholarships and tuition, and an employer partner (Bechtel) has pledged additional scholarship funds.

The item’s stated goal is to train 50 Brownsville residents with an 85% job‑placement target. The commission approved the funding by voice vote after a motion and second; no individual roll‑call votes were recorded on the transcript.

What the funding covers: The BCIC contribution is intended to remove cost barriers for non‑credit technical training, provide scholarships and support instructional delivery and job placement assistance provided by TSC. The program will enroll both employed and unemployed residents seeking entry or advancement in construction trades.

Next steps: BCIC and Workforce Solutions will finalize memoranda of understanding with TSC; the board had already approved an MOU with Workforce Solutions, and an MOU with TSC was scheduled for the following day.