San Marcos is making a significant push to attract aerospace, defense, and manufacturing companies, according to Helen Ramirez, the city's economic development director. In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, Ramirez outlined the city's major projects and strategic vision.
The city has purchased nearly 200 acres from the U.S. Department of Labor to extend the runway at San Marcos Regional Airport, with funding from FAA and Texas Aviation grants. The airport already hosts more than 18 tenants, including Berry Aviation, now owned by publicly traded Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL). This expansion is expected to enhance the airport's capacity to serve larger aircraft and attract more aerospace businesses.
Adjacent to the airport is TriTexas, a 2,000-acre, rail-served mega site. Regional detention and utilities are already in place, making it ready for development. The site is positioned to attract large-scale manufacturing and distribution operations, leveraging its infrastructure and strategic location between Austin and San Antonio.
Ramirez also highlighted Star Park, Texas State University's incubator, which houses the Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator, run in partnership with Starburst Aerospace and the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. This initiative aims to foster defense-related startups and technology transfer.
Downtown, a 130-key boutique hotel is under development on land donated by Texas State University. The project includes a minimum-wage requirement tied to inflation in its incentive deal, reflecting the city's commitment to equitable growth.
When asked about the possibility of a spaceport, Ramirez clarified that San Marcos is not pursuing rocket launches. "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 cited Hawthorne, California, home to Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, as a model for the aerospace ecosystem Central Texas could build.
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 reported better business conditions in San Marcos than in California. Nabaco, a Texas State spinoff that went through a Rice University accelerator, now operates in Spain and still hires 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 the downtown hotel.
Ramirez emphasized the city's pro-business approach, noting that her staff has direct access to the city's permitting software. Texas Building Supply, projected to generate roughly $40 million annually in sales tax once fully ramped, receives real-time answers to permit questions without an incentive package. This responsiveness, Ramirez suggests, is a key factor in attracting and retaining businesses.
The implications for the region are substantial. The runway extension and TriTexas site could position San Marcos as a hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing, creating jobs and diversifying the local economy. The focus on intelligence and ecosystem development, rather than launch pads, aligns with existing strengths in aviation and defense. As companies seek to expand in Texas, San Marcos offers a strategic location, infrastructure, and a supportive business environment. This could lead to increased investment, population growth, and a stronger tax base, benefiting the entire Central Texas corridor.
