Brownsville and county residents urge commissioners to deny 95% tax abatement for Saronic project

Scores of residents and regional advocacy organizations spoke during the public-comment period to oppose the proposed tax-abatement package for Saronic Technologies' Port Alpha project. Speakers cited environmental risks to coastal habitat, concerns about water consumption and pollution, and long-term social impacts including housing affordability and lost tax revenue for schools and services.

Gloria Thomas of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network said the project would "pave through pristine wetland wildlife" and emphasized prioritizing the environment over war-related manufacturing. Becca Inahosa, co-founder of the same network, pointed to the company's prior tax arrangement with the Point Isabel school district and argued the county should not grant additional large breaks: "They're asking for hundreds of millions of dollars of tax breaks for just 50 permanent jobs," she said, referencing a company filing in the record.

Union members, residents and local advocates also raised procedural concerns, including requests for a 30-day notice of public hearing and pointed to two absent commissioners during the roll-up to the vote. Many speakers pushed for alternative, community-centered economic development and stronger local-hire or binding job commitments before any large abatements are approved.

The court accepted these public comments into the record but subsequently approved the abatement package in a recorded motion and voice vote.