By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District has received a $330,000 BUILD grant for an engineering study connected to a proposed mobile boat lift project.
Port Director Victor Barrera announced the award during the district’s July 16 regular meeting. He told commissioners the grant funding would be used for the mobile boat lift engineering study and placed in a separate account because the money may be used only for the approved project.
District officials reported that only two Texas ports received grants during the funding round, with the other award going to Corpus Christi.
“So that’s a big, big honor that we were selected,” Barrera said. “Not everybody gets selected, and that’s one milestone that we’ve got accomplished.”
Barrera said an official involved with the grant contacted him personally to offer congratulations. During the meeting, the district displayed an email from Kris Knoll, port development administrator for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Maritime Division, congratulating the district on receiving the 2026 BUILD grant.
The award is prominently featured in a new district newsletter under the headline “$330,000 BUILD Grant Awarded!” The publication identifies the initiative as the Mobile Boat Lift Planning Project and states that the funding will support planning and design for a modern mobile boat lift facility.
According to the newsletter, the proposed facility is intended to enhance vessel-maintenance capabilities, improve safety and support the commercial fishing and maritime industries.
Commissioner Jose L. Morales enthusiastically supported the new publication and encouraged the district to increase its online presence. Morales recommended sharing photographs and updates about arriving vessels, shrimping operations, maintenance projects and other port activities across the district’s website and social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Commissioners agreed that the new newsletter should be produced monthly rather than quarterly. New administrative assistant Hilda Zermeno and other office staff will work on the publication and the district’s digital updates.
Barrera credited the office staff for improving the district’s website internally, eliminating the need to hire an outside company for routine updates. Commissioners encouraged staff members to continue promoting the port’s operations, projects and future development.
The Pilot Board of the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Meeting will be held at 5:15 p.m. on July 29, 2026. The district’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 29 at 5:30 p.m.