On June 8, 2022, the South Texas Business Partnership (SoTx) hosted a luncheon to celebrate Brooks’ momentum as it enters its 20th year as a development authority. Brooks, a former Air Force Base, is a 1,308-acre mixed-use development on the southeast side of San Antonio. Brooks, along with partners like SoTx, focuses on a mission of South San Antonio, serving as a world-class region by honoring its vibrant history and bringing transformative investments that contribute to the city’s overall success.

“Among more than 50 businesses calling Brooks home and investing in a top-notch linear park with a direct connection to downtown, it’s safe to say we have accomplished a lot here at Brooks in a short 20 years,” said Jim Campbell, Chairman of the Brooks Board of Directors. “The momentum we have managed to sustain is a testament to the resiliency and dedication of our team and the Southeast side of San Antonio.”

Since its inception in 2002, Brooks has focused on bringing quality jobs and housing to the south side of San Antonio, increasing connectivity, and improving infrastructure. Five international businesses in industries ranging from light industrial to administration call Brooks home, to include three US headquarters. Today, four schools are located at Brooks, including three high schools and the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. Also, currently underway, are 513 single-family units across two residential communities, to include the former officers’ quarters. The most recent ribbon cutting, in May, was for the Paw Park at The Greenline, a more than $500,000, 1.5-acre dog park for both large and small dogs.

“We aren’t just bringing in businesses and opening cool restaurants. We are building a strong community for the southside and all of San Antonio,” said Leo Gomez, Brooks President & CEO. “We’ve accomplished several of our goals because of what we call ‘Brooks Believers,’ who are just everyday people sharing their experiences with others in the Brooks region. This community is proud of Brooks’ transformation, and we are just getting started.”

The Brooks community will see many new developments within the following year, such as La Gloria, and the start of the Brooks Town Center, La Picosa, a retail and entertainment district, which includes 250,000 SF of restaurant and shop space. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Pluckers Wing Bar have been announced as tenants.

Within the next year, Brooks will welcome the TX-FAME facility–a collaboration between industry, training providers, and the public sector to develop the necessary skill sets for individuals to prepare for today’s manufacturing careers. Two new roads increasing connectivity within the campus are set to be completed by late-July 2022, and Bakerly, a French based company has broken ground on a 137,000-square-foot production facility.

Key Brooks stats: 

  • Regional population is 43,236 with a 14.4% increase from 2012.
  • Average household income $57,424 with a 28.4% increase from 2012
  • Highschool graduates are at a current 80.7% with an increase of 7.6% from 2012
  • The poverty rate is 15.6% which is a -2.2% percent in comparison to 2012’s 17.8%
  • 13,250 current regional jobs

*All data provided by American Community survey (ACS) and TXP Inc.

Brooks’ current regional economic impact is more than $1.05 billion, annually.