Texas Approves $50M to Build Military Cybersecurity Hub in San Antonio, Eyes 20,000 New Tech Jobs

Texas lawmakers have approved a $50 million investment via House Bill 500 to establish a new military cybersecurity campus at Port San Antonio. This funding is contingent on the U.S. Air Force relocating its 16th Air Force Cyber Command headquarters from Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland to this upgraded facility (expressnews.com). Key features of the proposal include:

• Construction of a secure, consolidated cyber facility, with schematic plans projected within 18 months.
• The total investment is estimated between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, including local match and federal approval (expressnews.com).
• Expected impact: creation of up to 20,000 high-tech jobs and a strengthened cybersecurity ecosystem in San Antonio (expressnews.com).

Why It Matters

1. Cybersecurity Hub Emerges in Texas
   Attracting a major U.S. military cyber headquarters cements San Antonio’s role as a leading cybersecurity center—building on the military and tech cluster already present in the region (expressnews.com).
2. Economic & Workforce Expansion
   The project promises thousands of skilled jobs—engineering, IT, security, operations—supporting growth across education, workforce pipelines, and local suppliers.
3. National Security & State Influence
   Centralizing cyber ops boosts national cyber defense and gives Texas policymakers greater strategic leverage. Hosting a major federal entity enhances Texas’s negotiating power for future federal investments.

What’s Next

• Federal decision on relocation: The Air Force must finalize its reorganization plan and decide whether to move the 16th AF HQ from Lackland to Port San Antonio.
• Detailed planning and design: If approved, funding enables schematic designs to begin within 18 months, with full execution to follow.
• Economic mobilization: San Antonio’s municipal and regional leaders will coordinate workforce development, infrastructure expansion, and vendor relationships to support 20,000 projected jobs.

Bottom Line

This initiative could transform San Antonio into a national cyber powerhouse—bringing modern infrastructure, job growth, and strategic relevance. Port San Antonio stands to win big—but the real test lies in securing the Air Force’s commitment and delivering on a massive, long-term build-out.