Press Releases

Lubbock, TX – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) spoke at the 2025 Annual Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference:

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“Honored to join the Ports-to-Plains Alliance this morning in Lubbock to celebrate the progress we’ve made on the I-27 Corridor - a true game-changer for West Texas and America’s Heartland. 

“From authorizing the four-lane federal highway in 2022 to securing millions of dollars in funding for build-out, we are transforming a decades-old vision into reality. This project will grow Texas’ GDP by more than $55 billion, create nearly 180,000 construction jobs, and strengthen America’s food security and energy independence by connecting small towns and rural communities to markets across the continent. 

“Interstate Highway 27 will spur a brighter future for West Texas by opening new markets, creating jobs, and fueling economic growth for generations to come.” – Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

Background: 

• In 2022, Rep. Arrington championed legislation that was signed into law to designate the portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor from Laredo, Texas through the Panhandle to Dumas, Texas as a future Interstate route, making it eligible for federal funding. 
• In 2024, Rep. Arrington celebrated his bipartisan legislation to rename the interstate-designated segments of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to “I-27” being signed into law. 
• Earlier this year, Arrington commemorated I-27 signage placement in Lubbock, marking an important milestone for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. 
• The expansion of the I-27 corridor is critical to linking the energy and agricultural industries to state, national, and international trade, and it is estimated to grow Texas’s GDP by over $55.6 billion in the first 20 years; create 178,600 construction jobs; and add 17,000 long-term employment opportunities. 

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