The City of San Marcos has purchased nearly 200 acres from the U.S. Department of Labor to extend the runway at San Marcos Regional Airport, a move that underscores the city's ambition to become a significant player in the aerospace and defense sectors. The acquisition, discussed by economic development director Helen Ramirez on The Building Texas Show, is part of a broader strategy to leverage the region's existing assets and attract high-value industries.
The runway extension, funded by FAA and Texas Aviation grants, will enhance the airport's capacity to serve larger aircraft and support increased traffic. The airport already hosts more than 18 tenants, including Berry Aviation, now owned by publicly traded Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL). This infrastructure improvement is critical for accommodating the growing aerospace and defense companies that are eyeing the area between Austin and San Antonio.
Adjacent to the airport lies the 2,000-acre TriTexas mega site, a rail-served development with regional detention and utilities already in place. The site is ready for tenants, offering a turnkey solution for businesses looking to establish a presence in Central Texas. The proximity to Texas State University's Star Park, an incubator that houses the Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator run with Starburst Aerospace and the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, further strengthens the ecosystem.
Ramirez's vision for San Marcos is not about launching rockets but about building the intellectual and manufacturing backbone of the space industry. "We are looking at that future of space. It is not necessarily launching rockets," she said. "You can have it in Starbase, SpaceX, but that's not what we're looking for. But we can be part of the intelligence of creating that ecosystem." She points to Hawthorne, California, home to Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, as a model for the type of aerospace innovation and production that could thrive in San Marcos.
The numbers support this optimism. A survey conducted by Ramirez's office of 98 companies found that over 90% reported stable or growing operations, with about 40% actively expanding. Epic Piping is adding 100 employees, Amazon continues to grow its footprint, and Collins Aerospace has indicated that business is better in San Marcos than in California. Nabaco, a Texas State spin-off that went through a Rice University accelerator, now operates in Spain while still hiring Texas State graduate students. US Aviation trains active-duty Air Force cadets at the airport, and Texas State is adding a hospitality program tied to a new 130-key boutique hotel downtown, on land donated by the university with a living-wage requirement written into the incentive deal.
The city's pro-business approach is exemplified by its permitting process. Ramirez's staff has direct access to the city's permitting software, allowing real-time answers to permit questions. Texas Building Supply, which is projected to generate roughly $40 million annually in sales tax without any incentive package, benefits from this efficiency. This streamlined approach is a key selling point for companies considering relocation or expansion.
For San Marcos, the runway extension and land purchase represent more than just infrastructure improvements; they are a declaration of intent to compete in the aerospace economy. By focusing on the intelligence and manufacturing side of aerospace, the city positions itself as a complementary hub to traditional spaceports, offering a skilled workforce, educational partnerships, and a strategic location. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, San Marcos is laying the groundwork to ensure it is not left behind.
