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The Surge: December 2025

End of Year: The Work Continues

As we close out 2025, the Austin region has finished strong. Major projects have announced and new facilities have opened. There have been significant expansions and key sectors that continue to evolve. The November election also moved forward several policy priorities that will help position the state and our region for business growth. Our recruitment teams added to this momentum, organizing and driving meetings across Europe, Asia, and New York. We also formed new partnerships with organizations in the UK, Switzerland, Finland, Taiwan, and others that will support future investment. As we head into the holidays, I want to thank our investors, regional partners, and staff for their commitment this year. I hope you enjoy this time with those closest to you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ed Latson, CEO, Opportunity Austin

FEATURED ARTICLES

Southwest Airlines to open crew base at the Austin airport next year: Southwest Airlines Co. plans to launch a crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport next year that will yield thousands of jobs with an enviable average wage. It’s part of the airline’s plan to triple its employment base in Austin in the coming years and boost daily daily flights out of ABIA from 130 to 200.

UT gets $4.8M to open lab focused on semiconductor research: Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced on Dec. 10 it was awarding $4.8 million from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to the Texas Quantum Institute at the University of Texas to establish the QLab, a quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology facility.

New defense tech HQ aims to grow quickly south of Austin: Less than a year after its founding, Perseus Defense Inc. has taken an 18,000-square-foot lease in Buda that will serve as its new headquarters. There, the company aims to produce 10,000 of its 30-inch micro-guided missiles monthly by the end of 2026.

 

Why Austin? Case Studies

From site selection to expansion, companies have a story that answers the question, “Why Austin?” Explore our case studies to hear directly from companies like Poppi, Igloo, EnergyX, and others about the factors that influenced their decision to grow in the Austin region.

 

From our blog

2025 was a year defined by momentum:

Across the Austin region, collaboration, leadership, and strategic investment continued to strengthen the economy and position the region for what’s next. Watch for a snapshot of what made 2025 a standout year.  Watch the Video.

By the Numbers:

In Q4, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) recorded its busiest month ever, and City of Austin sales tax receipts rose compared to last year. Explore these trends and more in our latest Economic Indicators report. Full report.

Dealroom data shows Austin reached its highest venture funding year ever:

Much of this momentum came from energy, robotics, and AI, with the second, third, and fourth largest funding rounds in Austin’s history closing in February, May, and October and accounting for $4.2B. Learn more.

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Several recent developments point to how the Austin region’s innovation economy is evolving in real time. Breakthroughs in emerging sectors like aerospace and defense, life sciences, and digital infrastructure are being matched by record levels of startup investment and top national job growth rankings. Together, these signals reflect how emerging technologies are translating into tangible economic outcomes across the region. Workforce development and infrastructure are advancing in parallel, aligning talent and capacity with the needs of these industries and supporting the region’s ability to scale.

No. 1 Best Performing Top 50 US job market for job growth in 2025, creating 27,200 jobs (2.0%).

Economic Indicators is a numbers update on select indicators in the Central Texas region that chronicle economic activity on a monthly or quarterly basis. The report and associated Excel files are posted on or about the first Wednesday of the month.

As we close out the first quarter of 2026, the strength of the Austin region’s diversified economy is clear, both in the data and across our communities.

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