WESLACO - NextDecade Corporation signed a contract to begin construction on a project to export gas on ships from the Rio Grande Valley.

The corporation says there’s $15 billion of potential investment and many jobs in the balance.

NextDecade signed the contract with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals that will focus on constructing the facilities used to cool down the gas.

Before construction begins, a final decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will have to be made.

The commission has already completed an environmental and impact study on the project.

A decision is expected to be made by the end of the year.