House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) addressed the 2025 Annual Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference in Lubbock, highlighting recent developments on the Interstate 27 (I-27) Corridor project.
“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)
Arrington has played a key role in advancing legislation related to I-27. In 2022, he led efforts that resulted in designating parts of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor from Laredo through Dumas as a future Interstate route. The following year, bipartisan legislation renamed these segments as “I-27,” making them eligible for federal support. Earlier this year, signage marking I-27 was placed in Lubbock.
The expansion is expected to link major energy and agricultural sectors with broader trade networks. Estimates suggest it could increase Texas’s GDP by over $55 billion within two decades while generating nearly 180,000 construction jobs and adding thousands of long-term positions.
Arrington has consistently won re-election since first taking office. In 2024, he defeated Nathan Lewis with more than 80% of the vote; similar margins were seen in previous elections dating back to his initial victory in 2016.
