San Marcos–area officials discuss economic outlook

He said he believes the airport's development will come in waves—initially general aviation-related activities followed by cargo flights and ultimately commercial service, especially in the short-haul marketplace.

"There are some really remarkable things going on, some flight training that is unique, and I think that is going to draw some new businesses into the San Marcos area," he said.

He also encouraged public-private partnerships for expansion, citing Southwest Airlines' project to expand and remodel Love Field in Dallas.

"We don't have time to wait, and we need to do it now," Montgomery said. "If the structures can be put in place to allow public-private partnerships to proceed, I would have to believe that is going to end up in San Marcos getting projects that they might not otherwise get, which is going to create those jobs."

Several hundred people attended the luncheon, organized by the Greater San Marcos Partnership, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State University Small Business Development Center and Texas State's McCoy College of Business Administration.