ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT
A Summary of the Brownsville MSA’s Economy AUGUST 2014
HIGHLIGHTS Between June and July 2014, 300
EMPLOYMENT
the civilian labor force. Sales taxes were just over $3 million in August 2014, 18 percent more than
Brownsville MSA’s Unemployment Rate
Between June and July 2014, 300 Brownsville MSA residents entered the civilian labor force.
the previous month. The total value amount of residential
Since 2013, private sector employment has risen by 2,200 jobs or 2.2 percent
Private sector jobs in Brownsville MSA fell by 200 in July after a rise of 1,200 jobs in June 2014.
building permits for June was just over $4 million. There were 538,730 International border bridge crossings for June 2014
8.9%
Brownsville MSA’s unemployment rate increased by one-tenths of a percentage point between June and July 2014 to a rate of 8.9 percent.
Brownsville MSA residents entered
SALES TAX
for Cameron County.
Sales taxes were just over $3 million in August 2014, 18 percent more than the previous month.
Airport arriving passengers increased by 11 percent in June in comparison
Sales Tax for August was very favorable and it is a typical trend for sales tax to spike due to the start of a new school year. In a national survey by Offers.com, just over half (51.2%) of parents in the United States say they begin back-toschool shopping in August.
to May 2014. During the 12 months ending in June
Fact: Sales tax in Brownsville is 8.25% which is above the Texas Average of 7.25%
2014, the total number of trade activity for Cameron County has been $177 million.
Sales Tax Figures
Brownsville City - August 2014
Source: Texas Workforce Commission Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts MarketingProfs
$4,000 Thousands
Note: Texas cities have the option of imposing an additional local sales tax for a combined total of state and local taxes of .0825
$3,500 $3,000 $2,500 $2,000
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
Last 12 Months: Sept. 13 - Aug. 14
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
Previous Year: Sept. 12 - Aug. 13
JUL
AUG
Commercial Building Permits Brownsville City Last 12 Months: Jul. 13 - Jun. 14
BUILDING PERMITS
Permit Value
$18
$9 $6 $3
Jun
Apr
May
Mar
Feb
Jan
Dec
Nov
Sept
$0 Aug
In the 12 months ending in June 2014, a total value of $36 million permits was issued, .07 percent less than the previous year.
$12
Jul
In May 2014 the highest valued commercial construction project for the month was WalMart. The total construction value amounts to $15,524,000.
$15
Millions
The total amount of Brownsville commercial building permits for June was under $4.5 million.
Note: October 2013 data is not available Source: Rio Grande Valley Partnership – Business Barometer Source: Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University
BORDER CROSSINGS
Bridge Crossings to Mexico
There were a total of 538,730 international border bridge crossings June 2014 for Cameron County (Veterans, Los Indios, Gateway and B&M).
Brownsville -Harlingen MSA - June 2014 667 K 539 K
In the 12 months ending in June 2014, the total bridge crossings (auto, pedestrian, bus and truck) were 3,263,617, an increase of 0.6 percent more than the previous year.
Changes between June 2013 & June 2014 Auto crossings
1.8 percent
Pedestrian crossings Truck crossings
54 K
5.5 percent
3 percent
Cameron
Hidalgo
Starr
Note: Bridge crossing totals include Cameron Bridges: Veterans, Los Indios, Gateway, B&M Hidalgo Bridges: Donna, McAllen-Hidalgo, Anzalduas, Pharr, Progreso Starr Bridges: RGC Camargo, Roma Source: Rio Grande Valley Partnership – Business Barometer
AIR TRAFFIC In June 2014, 18,239 passengers ew into and out of the Brownsville airport, an increase of 8.3 percent from June 2013.
Total Airport Passengers Brownsville Airport
There were a greater number of arriving passengers than boarding passengers at the Brownsville Airport, the total amount of boarding passengers was 7,893, while number of arriving passengers was 10,346 this June.
19,500 18,500 17,500 16,500
Boarding passengers decreased 9 percent and arriving passengers increased by 11 percent this June in comparison to May 2014.
15,500
2014 YTD Brownsville has had a total of 87,053 passengers, 4 percent higher than a year ago.
Jan-14 Feb-14 Mar-14 Apr-14 May-14 Jun-14 Total 16,001 16,033 18,856 18,124 18,039 18,239 Passengers
Source: Rio Grande Valley Partnership – Business Barometer
TRADE ACTIVIY
Highest-Value Traded Products
The total trade activity in Cameron County for the year 2013 was $15 billion, averaging $41 million per day of trade in our local border. In June 2014 the total U.S. exports and imports trade activity for Cameron County was $1.4 million. A 1.9 percent increase compared with the previous month. During the 12 months ending in June 2014, the total number of trade activity for Cameron County has been $16.6 billion.
U.S./Mexico Trade Activity
Top Exported Products: 1
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude)
2
Soya beans
3
Other parts and accessories
Top Imported Products: Note: Unadjusted U.S dollars Source: Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development
1
Other parts and accessories
2
Parts of the seats of subgroup 821.1
3
Other parts and accessories of bodies
For more information regarding this issue of Economic Snapshot, please contact: Daniela Sosa at dsosa@bedc.com Brownsville (TX) Economic Development Council I ph: 956.541.1183 I www.BEDC.com