By Andy Sevilla
The San Marcos Regional Airport is now outfitted with a new Terminal Radar Display (TRD) — equipment officials say will help keep the skies above Hays and Caldwell counties safe.
And with the new safety feature, chances for improved economic development may also be forthcoming.
“The San Marcos Regional Airport is a great asset for all of Hays and Caldwell counties, (particularly) having an airport of that size — a former Air Force base — with a lot of developable land,” Adriana Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), said.
Cruz said GSMP, the regional economic development organization for Hays and Caldwell counties, has strengthened and is looking to grow the aviation industry in the area. She said continued improvements, added safety features and the land available may help attract aviation-centered businesses to the airport grounds and surrounding communities.
Major events in recent years, including international races at Circuit of the Americas, special fly-in events, runway and facility development at the airport and the fast-growing Central Texas area are significantly increasing general aviation traffic to the airport, officials said.
“This new radar will help keep our airport flying high. We’re here to celebrate safer trips for those flying in and out of Central Texas,” said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett who joined San Marcos and Caldwell County elected officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the airport last week.
“Federal dollars have contributed significantly on utilities, and on the terminal, and on the tower, and now on radar, in good coordination with the city to assure that this airport is really first class,” he said.
The San Marcos Regional Airport serves as a reliever airport for both the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the San Antonio International Airport, officials said. The San Marcos airport, situated just east of I-35 between Austin and San Antonio, is the only Texas airport to serve as a reliever for two international installations.
A location, Cruz said, that adds another level of service, another option, for businesses looking to move to Hays and Caldwell counties.
Cruz said in Requests for Proposals (RFPs) her office responds to, a requirement for an airport within close proximity is often a criterion for selection. She said some big companies that offer living wage jobs have corporate aircraft that are used to fly executives from one business to another; and being situated in between two international airports and having a general aviation airport in San Marcos puts the region in an attractive position.
Along with a nearby airport, businesses look for workforce, Cruz said. With Hays County’s population boom, specifically in the cities along the I-35 corridor, and with an Austin Community College campus in Kyle, Gary Jobs Corp and Texas State University in San Marcos, workforce and talent is up for the taking, she said.
“Kyle and Buda actually being located between two universities — Texas State and the University of Texas — that really shows that the workforce is here,” Cruz said.
Recent Developments
2010: 10-story control tower built with help from FAA, TxDOT and local funds.
2011: The tower was staffed by air traffic controllers through FAA’s contract air traffic controllers program.
2014: Airport added terminal Radar Display.
2014: Texas Transportation Commission approved a security fencing project.
2014: Currently in a $5.7 million bidding process to reconstruct 13/31 runway, the airport’s 5,603-foot primary runway.
*source: City of San Marcos
