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Investment | October 7, 2026
By Megan Flake
What new employers and workforce training mean for industrial property along I-35.
On September 24, I attended the Austin Business Journal's Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit. Most of the conversation was about aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing and tech companies moving into our part of I-35, and how our cities are getting ready for them.
Two things I heard stuck with me.
First, Buda’s mix of employers has changed a lot. At the summit, I heard that five businesses had come in over the previous nine months. That changes the conversation about what companies need from the area.
Second, San Marcos and Texas State University are working together to train the workers these companies need. When a company is deciding where in Texas to go, workforce is one of the first things they ask about. It’s good to have an answer.
I’m seeing the demand firsthand. Recently, I spoke with one tenant looking for about 2,000 square feet and another moving into Texas who needs around 300,000.
Small spaces and big ones are both getting calls.
For industrial property owners along the corridor, that brings the conversation back to your building. How does it compare with what’s available nearby, and what would these tenants need to make it work?
What I’d Review Before Your Next Property Decision
A few questions I’d ask about lease renewals, new buildings and improvements.
If you own industrial property along the corridor, here are the questions I’d be thinking about.
When a lease is coming up for renewal
Is the rent where it should be compared with what’s leasing nearby? Is the tenant growing, and is there room for them to grow here? I’d also look at whether expansion rights or a different lease term could help keep a good tenant.
When a new building is in the works
Can the bays be split up or combined? Will there be enough power and parking for a manufacturing user? Those are questions I’d want answered while the building is being planned.
When I’m deciding what to improve
Power is usually the first question. Three-phase service and higher amperage come up often. Defense and tech tenants also ask about controlled access and secure areas.
Air-conditioned production space, fiber, finished office, and a mix of grade-level and dock doors can all help. But what makes sense to spend really depends on the building and who’s touring it.
I’d rather talk it through with you than have you guess.
Give me 30 minutes over coffee. I’ll walk you through what’s available right now and what these tenants are asking for. Then we can look at how your property compares.
