San Angelo Mayor Touts Potential Data Center, Infrastructure as Keys to Growth

SAN ANGELO, TX — Mayor Tom Thompson outlined San Angelo’s economic development strategy, highlighting a multibillion-dollar data center under consideration and major infrastructure initiatives, in a recent episode of “The Building Texas Show.”

Thompson pointed to a third-generation data center valued between $7 billion and $12 billion that is under consideration. He said such a project would generate substantial tax revenue without the public safety or infrastructure burdens often linked to residential growth.

“Economic development really subsidizes all the improvements that move your city forward,” Thompson said. The city uses 380 performance-based agreements to protect taxpayers while funding green spaces, parks, and roads. 

Transportation remains a priority. San Angelo is the largest town in Texas without an interstate, and Thompson is advancing the Ports to Plains and I-14 corridor projects. The 20- to 30-year vision aims to create a diagonal commerce route from Mexico to Canada that would relieve congestion on Interstate 35. 

The San Angelo Regional Airport is expanding, supported by Angelo State University’s flight program and international training partnerships with the Canadian Air Force. 

Water security is another focus. The city is pursuing a reclamation project on the Concho River aimed at reducing daily groundwater reliance by 40% to 60% through reuse.

“Water is economic development,” Thompson said. He said the effort will help ensure the city remains resilient regardless of rainfall patterns. 

Education and talent retention are bolstered by Angelo State University, which has more than 10,000 students and a nationally recognized cybersecurity program. Synergies among the university, Goodfellow Air Force Base and recent FBI investments are building a strong ecosystem for engineering and intelligence-based careers, the mayor said. 

Thompson described San Angelo as “a can-do city” where residents are “ready and willing to make the investment to move forward.”

“Economic development provides the revenue to subsidize those improvements,” he said.