What Innovation Happens Here: Distribution, Connectivity, and Infrastructure

Blog
Jan 31, 2020
Staff Reports

The Texas Innovation Corridor can defensibly position itself as the hub of Central Texas connectivity and distribution. Because of its proximity to two international airports, direct access to major interstates, a variety of land availability, and preparations for 5G integrations, it’s no wonder that innovative developments are flocking to the region. 

Distribution - Driving Innovation

SMART Terminal 

The San Marcos Air, Rail and Truck (SMART) Terminal is a 934-acre industrial park on the east side of IH35. The SMART Terminal will be the only dual Class 1 rail served park between, by BNSF and Union Pacific, Temple (about 70 miles north of Austin) and San Antonio. SMART Terminal has the potential to accommodate up to 15 companies, creating approximately 2,500 new jobs and $45 million in infrastructure improvements. 

“What makes the SMART Terminal so appealing for businesses is the area’s workforce—with its proximity to Gary Job Corps and Texas State University—combined with the SMART Terminal’s ability to connect companies with railroad and air cargo service, as the industrial park is located next to the San Marcos Regional Airport.” 

-Mike Schroeder, Developer of SMART Terminal

The site’s proximity to the airport and FM110 provides easy access to rail, major highways, and air transport. There are very few locations better suited for industrial development than the SMART Terminal. 

FM110

A new loop around I-35 in San Marcos, FM 110, will alleviate industrial and residential traffic on the East side of the freeway. This new piece of infrastructure will streamline access for companies who are eager to distribute products effectively throughout the Texas Innovation Corridor. 

The loop will improve safety, mobility, and connectivity, while also supporting the county and city's economic development programs by providing improved access to residential and employment centers east of I-35. It also opens up over 4,300 acres adjacent to the roadway to be developed in a way that helps our community grow economically, creating new jobs and future business investment. 

SH130

The fastest road in America with a posted speed limit of 85 mph serves as an effective way to commute from I10 to North Austin. A safe, fast, and reliable alternative to I35 is reinvigorating small towns on the east side of the city. Luling, a town renowned for its annual watermelon festival, is now known as the “connection to everywhere” as it connects, SH130, I10, US183, US90, and TX80.  

Connectivity

“We’re enamored with moving to the city for all of the services and conveniences, but with 5G, all those services and conveniences can come to wherever you are,” says Andres Carvallo, CEO of CMG Consulting and advisory board member of Texas State University’s Ingram School of Engineering, located in San Marcos, the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor. “This is going to be the platform that reverses the trend on where you live. It will be a renaissance of living in rural America.”

- FORBES, 2019

5G will serve as the backbone of smart city initiatives, empowering the connectivity of the future by enabling advanced technologies like: Autonomous vehicles, smart homes, smart watches and fitness trackers, robot deliveries, traffic flow and solutions, public safety & first responder networks. 

Reliable access to mobile data has become critical to our daily lives, enabling communication, providing on-the-go internet access, and powering our “smart devices”. Mobile data traffic has grown 18-fold over the past 5 years and will grow 12-fold more by 2021.

As Texas continues to invest in innovative and life-changing technologies such as autonomous vehicles, robotic deliveries, traffic flow solutions, and dedicated public safety and first-responder networks, small cell infrastructure will be crucial to their implementation.