The Advanced Manufacturing District (AMD) at El Paso International Airport is a 250-acre industrial development designed to position El Paso as a hub for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries. The project, which has been in planning since 2022, is now entering its primary construction phase.

Planned as a long-term economic initiative, the district forms part of a broader strategy to expand high-value manufacturing capacity in West Texas, leveraging proximity to major military and research assets as well as cross-border logistics advantages.

Project Approval and Phase 1 Construction

The Advanced Manufacturing District was formally approved by the El Paso City Council on January 22, 2025, enabling the first phase of construction to move forward. Phase 1 is now scheduled to break ground in May 2026, marking the transition from site preparation into vertical construction.

This initial phase includes:

• Standalone facility: A 50,000-square-foot building with 10,000 square feet of administrative space and 40,000 square feet of flexible tenant shell space.
• Two multi-tenant buildings: Each 100,000 square feet, designed to host small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.
• Purpose-built design: Facilities support both traditional production and digitally enabled operations, allowing companies to integrate advanced manufacturing technologies efficiently.

Project Background and Funding

The AMD traces its origins to September 2022, when federal support accelerated development through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Via the Department of Commerce’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, $40 million was awarded to the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition, including $25 million allocated specifically to support development at the airport.

Extensive site preparation work carried out in 2025 laid the groundwork for the upcoming construction phase, including grading, utilities, and infrastructure improvements across the 250-acre campus.

Strategic Expansion at the Airport

The AMD is part of a broader transformation of airport-owned land into a manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. Key adjacent projects include:

• Sky Park El Paso: A 200-acre industrial park expected to deliver approximately 3 million square feet of Class A industrial space over multiple phases.
• Innovation Factory: An incubator for manufacturing startups, now expanded to 50,000 square feet.
• UTEP Advanced Manufacturing Center: A multi-million-dollar facility at the University of Texas at El Paso nearing completion, designed to support workforce development and research in manufacturing and aerospace.

Economic Impact and Industry Focus

Once fully developed, the Advanced Manufacturing District is expected to host up to 300 manufacturing companies and support approximately 17,000 jobs by 2030, including:

• 4,000 engineering and technology roles
• 13,000 high-skill technical positions

The district is specifically targeting advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and defense companies, leveraging El Paso’s proximity to Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range. By integrating production, research, and workforce development within a single campus, the AMD aims to establish El Paso as a national center for innovation in U.S. manufacturing.

The Advanced Manufacturing District at El Paso International Airport is part of a growing trend in the U.S. to establish large-scale, next-generation industrial hubs. Similar ambitions are underway with the $10 billion Erisha Aerospace and Hydrogen Aviation Hub at Keystone Heights Airport in Florida, which is entering early-stage ground-lease negotiations to support aerospace and hydrogen technology manufacturing.

Advanced Manufacturing District (AMD) – El Paso Project Factsheet

Project Overview

• Location: El Paso International Airport
• Total Area: 250 acres
• Project Initiation: September 2022
• Approval Date: January 22, 2025
• Current Status (2026): Phase 1 approaching groundbreaking; site preparation complete

Phase 1 Development

• Total Cost: $20 million
• Buildings: 3 planned
  • Standalone facility: 50,000 sq ft
  • Two multi-tenant buildings: 100,000 sq ft each
• Facility Breakdown:
  • 10,000 sq ft administrative space
  • 40,000 sq ft tenant shell space
• Purpose: Support small and medium-sized manufacturing firms

Funding

• Federal Support: $40 million
• Airport Allocation: $25 million
• Program: Build Back Better Regional Challenge

Projected Outcomes

• New Companies: Up to 300
• Jobs by 2030: ~17,000
  • 4,000 engineering and technology roles
  • 13,000 high-skill technical jobs

Key Stakeholders

• U.S. Economic Development Administration
• West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition
• El Paso City

Industry Focus

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Aerospace
• Defense Industries

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