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The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation has created a new grant program, Launch BTX, aimed at cultivating and supporting collaboration between public education institutions and businesses, including start-up companies, that are testing, researching and developing new products in the aerospace, “new space,” urban mobility and technology sectors.
The program will provide grants to eligible universities, community and technical colleges, state colleges and high schools providing career and technical education in order to defray the cost of training, equipment, internships and associated services connected with developing and launching products, according to GBIC.
Launch BTX was allocated $450,000 for grants by the GBIC board of directors for fiscal year 2021-2022. Eligible education institutions must be collaborating with “key industry companies” that are already in Brownsville or are in the process of moving or expanding here, according to GBIC.
SpaceX’s presence here has created an opportunity for the city to pursue the new-space sector. Companies related to the sector that have already set up shop here include, besides SpaceX, Paragon VTOL, a vertical-takeoff-and-landing technology company; 9Point8 Capital, created specifically to finance and capitalize space-related commercial ventures; Spaced Ventures, a digital platform providing public access to investment in space-related start-up companies; and the Space Channel a news, information and entertainment outlet focusing on space.
Launch BTX is accepting grant applications now. The deadline for applications is Oct. 31. To apply, visit greaterbrownsville.com/launch-btx-grant-program.
GBIC, a nonprofit “Type A” economic development corporation under state law, aims to promote economic growth in Brownsville and Cameron County “by empowering a young and skilled multi-generational workforce and driving innovation to the area,” according to the organization, which works with regional and international partners in job creation, training, innovation, businesses development and manufacturing in order to facilitate economic growth.
