San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson recently appeared on The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, to outline the city's strategic growth initiatives. The interview, published on May 13, 2026, emphasized the 'can-do' spirit driving economic development in this West Texas hub of 100,000 residents.
A centerpiece of the discussion was the potential for a third-generation data center valued between $7 billion and $12 billion. Thompson highlighted that such a facility would provide a massive surge in tax revenue without the public safety or infrastructure strain typically associated with residential growth. 'Economic development really subsidizes all the improvements that move your city forward,' Thompson said, noting that the city uses 380 agreements to ensure projects are performance-based, protecting taxpayers while funding green spaces, parks, and roads.
Transportation infrastructure is another critical focus. San Angelo is currently the largest town in Texas without an interstate, a status Thompson is working to change 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, providing critical relief for the congested I-35 corridor. Additionally, the San Angelo Regional Airport is expanding, supported by the Angelo State University (ASU) flight program and international training partnerships with the Canadian Air Force.
Water security is also a top priority. Recognizing that 'water is economic development,' the city is aggressively pursuing a reclamation project on the Concho River. This initiative aims to reduce daily groundwater reliance by 40-60% through reuse, ensuring the city remains resilient regardless of rainfall patterns.
Education and talent retention are vital components of the city's strategy. With over 10,000 students at ASU and a nationally recognized cybersecurity program, San Angelo is focused on keeping talent local. The synergy between the university, Goodfellow Air Force Base, and recent investments by the FBI creates a robust ecosystem for engineering and intel-based careers.
The full interview is available on The Building Texas Show YouTube channel: The Texas City With No Interstate - And It's BOOMING | Mayor Tom Thompson. For more information about the show, visit BuildingTexasShow.com.
Thompson summed up the city's outlook, stating, 'San Angelo is a can-do city. People are ready and willing to make the investment to move forward. Economic development provides the revenue to subsidize those improvements.' The implications for the region are significant, as these strategic initiatives could transform San Angelo into a major economic hub, attracting large-scale industry and infrastructure projects that benefit both residents and businesses.
