In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie interviewed San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson about the city's strategic growth potential. Thompson highlighted a potential third-generation data center valued between $7 billion and $12 billion that could significantly boost tax revenue without straining public services. “Economic development really subsidizes all the improvements that move your city forward,” he said, noting that performance-based 380 agreements protect taxpayers while funding green spaces, parks, and roads.
San Angelo, the largest town in Texas without an interstate, is working to change that through the Ports to Plains and I-14 corridor projects. This 20-to-30-year vision aims to create a diagonal commerce route from Mexico to Canada, relieving congestion on I-35. The San Angelo Regional Airport is also expanding, supported by Angelo State University (ASU)'s flight program and international training partnerships with the Canadian Air Force.
Recognizing that “water is economic development,” the city is pursuing a reclamation project on the Concho River to reduce daily groundwater reliance by 40-60% through reuse. This ensures resilience regardless of rainfall patterns. Thompson emphasized that “San Angelo is a can-do city. People are ready and willing to make the investment to move forward.”
With over 10,000 students at ASU and a nationally recognized cybersecurity program, San Angelo focuses on retaining local talent. The synergy between the university, Goodfellow Air Force Base, and recent FBI investments creates a robust ecosystem for engineering and intel-based careers. Thompson's interview underscores how strategic planning and incentives are positioning San Angelo as a competitive destination for large-scale industry and infrastructure projects.
