Fort Bliss is the region’s largest employer, supporting 47,810 personnel and generating an estimated $27.9 billion in annual economic impact for Texas. The installation continues to expand its role in the region and drives significant growth in the northeast region. The $1.4 billion William Beaumont Army Medical Center opened in 2021, and a new $700 million El Paso VA Health Care Center is under construction on 36 acres of Fort Bliss land. When completed in 2029, the facility will serve approximately 54,000 veterans. Additionally, the U.S. Army plans to develop a hyperscale data center complex on 1,384 acres north of Montana Avenue to support military applications of artificial intelligence. Initial operating capability is expected in fiscal year 2027, with full functionality targeted for 2028. Fort Bliss currently supports a population of more than 175,000 people, including military personnel, civilian employees, family members, and retirees. These figures fluctuate but are projected to rise as expansion efforts continue.

The El Paso region ranks as the world’s fourthlargest manufacturing hub due to its highly integrated crossborder ecosystem with Ciudad Juárez. This partnership supports more than $160 billion in annual trade and leverages costeffective skilled labor, proximity to U.S. markets, and a robust multimodal logistics network. The region also benefits from specialized capabilities in aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturing. A skilled workforce, favorable business climate, and high quality of life—combined with a low cost of living—continue to strengthen the area’s manufacturing growth and competitiveness.

El Paso International Airport is the largest and most modern transportation hub along the U.S.–Mexico border and a major driver of regional economic development. Passenger traffic reached a record 3.8 million in 2025, reinforcing the airport’s role as a key regional hub. It is central to a federal initiative to expand aerospace and defense manufacturing, supported by significant infrastructure upgrades. To strengthen the region’s position in advanced manufacturing and technology, the airport is launching a 250acre Advanced Manufacturing District focused on aerospace and defense production. Phase one, scheduled to break ground in May 2026, includes two 100,000squarefoot multitenant buildings and a 50,000squarefoot facility. At full buildout, the district is expected to generate 4,000 engineering and technology jobs and 13,000 highskill technical jobs by 2030. The city has also approved a $316 million capital improvement plan for the airport, which will deliver terminal upgrades, airfield safety enhancements, and improved passenger experience. Additional direct domestic and international flights are planned to launch in 2026.

With a majority of military families living off-post and a cooling development pipeline, occupancy rates in El Paso have tightened. The rate ended 2025 at 95.9%, up 20 basis points compared to a year ago, and eclipsing the national average of 94.8%. Recent leasing strength near Fort Bliss has supported above-average effective rent gains, which increased 3.8% year over year in 2025. Rent is projected to continue its upward trend, projected to average 2.2% annually from 2026 through 2029. Healthy manufacturing and international trade compound with the Fort Bliss expansion will further strengthen the El Paso apartment market.