Brownsville at Large with Tino Villarreal Jr. | Episode 6: “Texas, Space, and the Next Great Frontier – with Norman Garza”

In this episode of Brownsville at Large, Norman Garza, the Director of the Texas Space Commission, sits down with host Tino Villarreal Jr. to explore how our state and specifically Brownsville is being positioned as a critical hub in the future of space exploration and the growing space economy.

The episode covers:

• Norman’s personal journey to leading one of the most forward-thinking agencies in Texas
• Why Texas is uniquely suited to lead in aerospace, innovation, and commercialization
• The future of SpaceX Starbase and what it could me for Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley
• The next generation of talent—and how students at UTRGV, TSTC, and even local high schools are vital to the mission
• Public-private partnerships with companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing
• How South Texas can become the next Silicon Valley of space

Norman shares how policy, workforce, infrastructure, and education are converging to build the foundation of Texas’s space legacy and what our region must do to stay ahead.

About Brownsville at Large with Tino Villarreal Jr.
This is the official podcast where we sit down with the voices, visionaries, and leaders shaping the future of Brownsville, Texas. From city growth and infrastructure to education, business, health, and culture—this podcast is your front-row seat to what’s really happening in our community. Hosted by Commissioner Tino Villarreal, Brownsville at Large brings real conversations about real progress. Each episode features in-depth discussions with community leaders, changemakers, and everyday citizens moving Brownsville forward. The mission is simple: to inform, inspire, and engage the people of Brownsville with transparency and vision. Learn more