Brownsville, TX (KRGV) — Vice President JD Vance and Gov. Greg Abbott joined local leaders for the groundbreaking of Saronic Technologies' Port Alpha shipyard, a project expected to bring 10,000 jobs to the area.

Local leaders say the ramp-up is already starting and their message to people who want one of those jobs is simple: start preparing now.

Port Alpha is expected to bring jobs ranging from welders and electricians to engineers, technicians and advanced manufacturing workers.

Abbott says Saronic is working with the state and local leaders to develop technical training and apprenticeship pathways for those jobs.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. says that could give more young people a chance to build their careers without having to leave the Rio Grande Valley.

RELATED STORY: Governor Abbott, Vice President Vance attend Saronic Technologies groundbreaking in Brownsville

"Every young person now in Brownsville, Cameron County and the Valley you have to know that there are opportunities for you here and even if you don't have to go to you don't have to go to a four-year college anymore," Treviño Jr. said. "Get that trade, go get those certifications and you're gonna be able to find these jobs here at home."

Some of those hirings could come much sooner. Brownsville Mayor John Cowen says Saronic may already be looking to hire about 250 people, with more hiring as the shipyard takes shape.

Cowen says Brownsville is also preparing for the growth that could come with it, including more demand for housing, businesses, roads and other city infrastructure.

"It's just a great opportunity to really move the needle and with a healthy city because we have better quality of life we have better bit more money to take care of our parks or trails events," Mayor John Cowen said. "It's just all the things people wish that we had at the city, we're gonna be able to do that with these."

Local leaders say the impact could extend well beyond the shipyard. The governor's office says Port Alpha could generate up to $264.5 billion in economic activity across Texas.

Saronic says it has a contract to build vessels for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps at Port Alpha. Operations are expected to begin as soon as 2028.

Watch the video above for the full story.