Leo Gomez, President & CEO, Brooks

In an interview with Invest:, Leo Gomez, president & CEO of Brooks, discussed the organization’s continued growth, the evolution of San Antonio’s Southside, and the importance of infrastructure, housing, and workforce development in sustaining economic momentum. “San Antonio is a city of opportunity,” Gomez said.

How would you describe the current business and investment climate in San Antonio, and what trends are having the biggest impact on Brooks?

It’s an interesting time because many of the concerns I hear across the community are not, for the most part, what we are experiencing at Brooks. Across San Antonio, there are conversations about project financing, multifamily oversupply, property values, and hotel occupancy. Those are real challenges in today’s market.

At Brooks, however, we continue to see strong momentum. Property values in and around the campus are increasing, our hotel consistently achieves some of the highest occupancy rates in the city, projects continue to secure financing, and we have multifamily developments both under construction and in our pipeline. Opportunity Zone investors remain actively interested in Brooks, which is increasingly being recognized as one of the most successful Opportunity Zone communities in Texas.

While there is concern about an overall economic slowdown, and our prospect activity has softened somewhat, development at Brooks remains strong. We continue to attract investment, create jobs, and generate economic opportunity for families across Southeast San Antonio. In many ways, Brooks serves as a reminder that when long-term vision, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships align, growth can continue even in uncertain market conditions.

What do you see as the next phase of growth for Brooks and San Antonio’s Southside?

We started with 1,308 acres that had previously served as a military base, and today we have grown to nearly 1,600 acres. As we continue to develop that footprint, we are increasingly looking beyond our boundaries and focusing on opportunities throughout the broader Brooks area.

The next phase of growth is about expanding our impact. We are partnering with public entities, property owners, and investors to help transform parcels that have sat vacant for decades into productive assets that create jobs, housing, and economic opportunity.

The first chapter of Brooks was about proving what was possible within our campus. The next chapter is about leveraging that success to help drive investment and revitalization throughout Southeast San Antonio. We believe Brooks can serve as a catalyst for growth well beyond our borders, and that is where our focus is headed next.

How important is housing availability when attracting businesses, workers, and new investment?

Housing availability is a critical component of attracting employers, workers, and investment. When we meet with companies, they want to know where their employees will live, how long their commute will be, and whether there is a workforce nearby. Having a diverse supply of housing is essential to supporting long-term economic growth.

That said, infrastructure comes first. Roads, utilities, drainage, and connectivity lay the foundation for growth. Once that foundation is in place, housing becomes one of the most important tools for attracting and retaining talent.

At Brooks, we have eight multifamily communities today and six more in development, including market-rate, affordable, and senior affordable housing. We are also working with a developer on one of our first larger neighborhoods of single-family homes for sale.

Our goal is to provide a mix of housing options that meets the needs of the workforce we are attracting — not only to Brooks, but to the entire Southside. Strong communities need housing choices, and those choices help create the conditions for continued investment, job creation, and economic opportunity.

Where do you see the most critical infrastructure needs to support continued growth?

Traffic and mobility are probably the issues people talk about most, and for good reason. Growth is coming, and it is coming fast. As our population and employment base continue to expand, transportation infrastructure must keep pace with that growth.

Employers and investors want certainty. That starts with roads, but it also includes utilities, drainage, transit, and the other infrastructure systems that support long-term development. Businesses are far more likely to invest in locations where the necessary infrastructure is already in place — or where there is a clear, funded plan to deliver it.

That is one of the reasons Opportunity Zone investors have found success at Brooks. Much of the infrastructure is either already built or planned and funded, which provides confidence and reduces risk. Investors can focus on developing projects rather than wondering whether the supporting infrastructure will eventually arrive.

Today, Brooks offers what many growing markets are working toward: a community with significant infrastructure investment, strong connectivity, and development sites that are as shovel-ready as possible. That foundation positions us well for the next phase of growth.

What workforce skills are employers looking for, and how is the region supporting that talent pipeline?

Many of the major employers that have recently announced or expanded operations on the Southside are in manufacturing, and one of the most in-demand skill sets continues to be advanced maintenance technicians. These professionals play a critical role in keeping production lines running and typically possess a blend of electrical, mechanical, welding, automation, and IT expertise.

The good news is that our community has responded. Bexar County operates a workforce training program at Brooks that helps prepare skilled maintenance technicians, and that effort helped reinforce the need for additional investment in workforce development. As a result, Palo Alto College will build a $95 million Center of Applied Technology at Brooks focused on advanced manufacturing and automotive technician training.

What is especially exciting is that we are creating a true talent pipeline. Students will be able to move from nearby STEM-focused high schools into specialized technical training programs and ultimately into high-demand careers with Southside employers. The project was approved by voters because workforce development is economic development, and this investment will help ensure local residents are prepared for the jobs being created in our region for years to come.

What can you tell us about the quality of life and amenities residents now expect from communities like Brooks?

For decades, many residents on the Southside looked across town and wished they had access to the same amenities, dining options, jobs, and quality-of-life experiences. Today, they are increasingly finding those opportunities closer to home, particularly at Brooks.

The transformation of the former military base has allowed Brooks to evolve into a true town center for Southeast San Antonio. We are attracting recognizable restaurant and retail brands, creating new gathering spaces, and providing the kinds of amenities that residents increasingly expect in a modern, mixed-use community. Since 2022 alone, Brooks has welcomed 25 new restaurants, with more on the way.

At the same time, we are seeing growth in both employment and population, while educational attainment continues to improve. Those trends are contributing to increased household spending power and helping drive demand for additional retail, entertainment, housing, and services throughout the area.

Ultimately, quality of life is about creating a community where people can live, work, learn, and play. That is what Brooks is helping deliver — not just for our campus, but for the broader Southside region.

What makes San Antonio attractive for employers and workers today?

San Antonio is a city of opportunity. We have a talented and growing workforce, a strong work ethic, and a community that is making strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and workforce development to prepare for the future.

For employers, San Antonio offers the ability to grow alongside a workforce that is expanding and becoming increasingly skilled. For workers, it offers the chance to build a career, advance professionally, and be part of a region that continues to gain momentum.

We are seeing significant public investment across the community. Voters recently approved a billion-dollar bond package for Alamo Colleges to expand educational facilities and workforce training opportunities, and major investments are also being made in transportation and other critical infrastructure.

What makes San Antonio especially attractive is that it is still a city on the rise. There is room to grow, opportunities to lead, and the ability to make a meaningful impact. If you want to be part of a community that is investing in its future and working to reach its full potential, San Antonio is a great place to be.

How have public and private investments worked together to drive growth in the community?

The growth we have experienced at Brooks is a direct result of public and private investment working together. Over the years, Brooks and its public-sector partners have invested approximately $138 million in infrastructure, creating the foundation needed for long-term growth. That investment has helped attract more than $2 billion in private-sector development.

Opportunity Zones have been an important part of that success. Nearly $500 million in Opportunity Zone investment has supported multifamily housing, office development, manufacturing facilities, and other projects that are creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities. Brooks has become a strong example of how the Opportunity Zone program can help accelerate investment when paired with a clear vision and significant infrastructure investment.

While Opportunity Zones are not a silver bullet, they are a valuable tool for attracting capital to communities that are ready for growth. Investors, like anyone else, want confidence that a project can succeed. When they see public entities investing in roads, utilities, and other critical infrastructure, it sends a powerful signal that a community is committed to its future.

That partnership between public investment and private capital is what drives sustainable growth, and it is a model we believe will continue to create opportunities for Brooks and the broader Southside for years to come.