San Marcos Charts Its Own Space: Aerospace, Manufacturing, and a 2,000-Acre Mega Site

San Marcos, Texas, is not trying to build a spaceport. But it is positioning itself at the center of the new space economy. In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie spoke with Helen Ramirez, economic development director for the City of San Marcos, about the city's active projects and its strategy for growth. The city is purchasing nearly 200 acres from the U.S. Department of Labor to extend the runway at San Marcos Regional Airport. The airport already hosts more than 18 tenants, including Berry Aviation, now owned by publicly traded Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL). FAA and Texas Aviation grants are funding the extension. Next to the airport lies TriTexas, a 2,000-acre, rail-served mega site. Regional detention and utilities are already built, even before a single tenant has signed. This kind of upfront infrastructure investment is rare and signals the city's readiness for large-scale manufacturing. At Texas State University, the Star Park incubator is home to the Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator, run in partnership with Starburst Aerospace and the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. This accelerator supports defense and aerospace startups, further building the region's ecosystem. Downtown, a 130-key boutique hotel called The Midway Hotel is coming to land donated by Texas State University. The incentive deal includes a minimum-wage requirement tied to inflation, ensuring that the jobs created pay a living wage. Texas State is also adding a hospitality program tied to the hotel. Ramirez is clear that San Marcos is not chasing a launch pad. "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." Her reference point is Hawthorne, California, home to Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. She believes Central Texas can build that side of aerospace. The numbers support the pitch. A survey conducted by Ramirez's office, sent to 98 companies, found that more than 90% reported they were stable or growing, and about 40% were actively expanding. Epic Piping is adding 100 employees. Amazon continues to grow its footprint. Collins Aerospace, which also operates in California, told Ramirez that business is better in San Marcos. Nabaco, a company that emerged from Texas State and 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. The city's approach to business is hands-on. Ramirez's staff has direct access to the city's permitting software, allowing them to answer permit questions in real time. For example, Texas Building Supply, on track for roughly $40 million a year in sales tax once fully ramped, with no incentive package attached, benefits from this real-time support because her downtown manager can look up information immediately. San Marcos is leveraging its location between Austin and San Antonio, its university, and its airport to attract aerospace, defense, and manufacturing companies. With infrastructure in place and a collaborative approach, the city is building an ecosystem that could make it a key player in the future of space and advanced manufacturing. Listen to this Episode