San Antonio Named a North American "City to Watch" as Region Surpasses 2026 Economic Development Goals

Oxford Economics highlights San Antonio's growing global competitiveness as greater:SATX-led efforts help secure 7,098 jobs and $4.8 billion in capital investment in 2026

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater San Antonio region has been named one of North America's leading "Cities to Watch" by Oxford Economics, a distinction that comes as the region surpasses its annual economic development goals with 7,098 announced jobs and $4.8 billion in capital investment year-to-date.

The recognition reflects San Antonio's emergence as one of the nation's most dynamic economies, fueled by growth in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, cybersecurity and new technology, financial services, and life sciences operations.

Led by greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership and an unprecedented level of regional collaboration among business, education, workforce and community partners, the region continues to attract major employers and transformative investments while building a foundation for long-term economic competitiveness.

"San Antonio differentiates itself as a community that knows how to effectively collaborate, where partnership drives deals," said Sarah Carabias Rush, President & CEO of greater:SATX. "We've brought together partners across sectors to focus on what truly builds economic competitiveness: talent, opportunity, infrastructure and quality of life, and the results are clear. This region is moving forward together, and it's showing up in the data."

Independent Recognition Validates Growing Momentum

In its latest Global Cities Index, Oxford Economics identified San Antonio as one of only five North American metros to watch, citing the region's economic diversity, labor force growth, military presence, higher education assets and expanding business base.

Since 2022, greater:SATX has helped secure more than 20,900 jobs and more than $10.26 billion in capital investment, supporting projects across manufacturing, aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, financial services and corporate operations.

Major Investments Signal Long-Term Confidence

Major announcements in 2026 include IEM's expansion at Brooks, creating up to 3,000 jobs by 2030; Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, adding 2,000 advanced manufacturing jobs; H-E-B, creating 1,200 new jobs; and Blackwave, establishing its first U.S. manufacturing operation in San Antonio.

"IEM is excited to put down roots in San Antonio," said Clayton Such, Chief Executive Officer of IEM. "The city's skilled workforce, strong infrastructure and collaborative economic development environment made this a natural choice for our next phase of growth. This facility will strengthen our ability to deliver highly engineered, customer-specific power distribution solutions that industries, from healthcare to energy, advanced manufacturing, and more, depend on every day." 

These investments reflect growing confidence in the region's workforce, infrastructure and business development.

Port San Antonio Emerging as a National Innovation Hub

Port San Antonio owns and develops Tech Port, a 1,900-acre innovation campus where aerospace, defense, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing grow side by side. Home to more than 80 employers and approximately 19,000 workers, Tech Port activity generates approximately $20 billion in annual economic impact.

Recent investments include Germany-based Blackwave's selection of Tech Port for its first U.S. manufacturing facility, strengthening the region's growing aerospace and advanced materials ecosystem.

"Every investment we make on this campus and every partnership we strengthen does double duty: growing strategic industries and expanding opportunity across all of San Antonio," said Jim Perschbach, President & CEO of Port San Antonio.

Port San Antonio is advancing several major initiatives, including the future Alamo Colleges School of Emerging Technologies, discussions with the Air Force regarding next-generation facilities, and plans for a combination FBO-vertiport that can support advanced air mobility technologies.

Building the Talent Advantage

Regional higher education institutions, employers and civic leaders have aligned around a goal of increasing educational attainment to 45 percent by 2030, strengthening the talent pipeline for high-growth industries.

The region also benefits from its military-connected talent workforce, anchored by Joint Base San Antonio and a veteran population exceeding 156,000.

Infrastructure and Connectivity Fuel Growth

San Antonio International Airport now offers 47 nonstop destinations and is advancing a transformational terminal expansion, while regional partners continue investing in water security, industrial development sites, transportation infrastructure and utility capacity to ensure companies have the resources necessary to scale and succeed over the long term.

Building What's Next

The Oxford Economics recognition, record economic development performance and continued investments in talent and infrastructure reflect San Antonio's growing competitiveness as a destination for business investment.  

Read the full story, including additional regional rankings, investment highlights and perspectives from business and community leaders in the News section at greaterSATX.com.

About greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership

For more than 50 years, greater:SATX has been the economic development partnership leading the San Antonio region's transformative growth through global corporate recruitment, local business advancement, and workforce development. The San Antonio region, or SATX, is the ten-county San Antonio-New Braunfels Combined Statistical Area. At the core of greater:SATX's mission is attracting, retaining, and growing quality jobs for all San Antonians that provide pathways to economic mobility. This work is guided by greater:SATX, supported by regional businesses, regional economic development partners, and by the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, CPS Energy, and SAWS. The organization is responsible for assisting over 700 companies to relocate or expand in the region, which collectively employ more than 160,000 San Antonians. For more information on San Antonio's industry growth and economic opportunity, visit greatersatx.com and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @greater_SATX, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

SOURCE greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership