A Platform for Innovation

El Paso Makes is developing cutting-edge infrastructure to support the next generation of aerospace and defense manufacturing in West Texas that will offer start-ups and small and medium manufacturers affordable access to the digital and physical infrastructure needed to compete in aerospace and defense industries.

The Advanced Manufacturing District combines aerospace and defense design teams and manufacturing operations with support services and training for hardware startups and small and medium manufacturers. El Paso Makes purchased 250 acres near the El Paso International Airport for this project and began construction in early 2023. The Advanced Manufacturing District will be purpose-built with a standard physical, cyber, and digital infrastructure to help reduce costs and meet the requirements of aerospace and defense markets.

The Advanced Manufacturing District is strategically located at the El Paso International Airport, which is inside Foreign Trade Zone 68, and accessible by the Spur 601/Liberty Expressway. This location connects manufacturers to national and international markets through a robust, multi-modal commercial transportation infrastructure that includes air, rail, road, and ports of entry with Juarez, Mexico. The site is immediately adjacent to the El Paso International Airport’s runways and is accessible by Spur 601/Liberty Expressway that connects Loop 375 to the east and Interstate 54 to the west. Loop 375 connects to Interstate 10 – the major east-west interstate highway in the southern United States – and the Ysleta Port of Entry, one of the busiest commercial ports on the U.S./Mexico Border. The Advanced Manufacturing District is also adjacent to Fort Bliss (connecting through the Old Ironsides Gate), and a short drive from New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range and two major spaceports.

Multi-tenant facilities for design teams and small and medium manufacturers will come online soon. Pad sites for large operations are also available.

Successful companies quickly iterate, improve, and scale their products and processes. The Innovation Factory – located in the Advanced Manufacturing District – is an advanced manufacturing demonstration factory for companies maturing their product or processes. Tenants receive a comprehensive suite of services and support to cultivate ongoing success. Eligible applicants can have up to 100% of their rent and other operational costs offset through their lease agreement.

The Innovation Factory offers 30,000 square feet of co-working space. The facility includes both private and communal spaces to support a full business operation. Private spaces include modular offices, storage, and secured maker spaces. Communal areas include conference rooms, restrooms, and a break room. Tenants are able to avoid expensive leases and long-term commitments. The modular, low-overhead structure allows startups to focus on their work and invest in their people.

Startups with maturing systems for aerospace and defense markets are invited to co-locate at the Aerospace Center’s Tech-1 Campus. The Tech-1 Campus includes:

• HQ Site | Fabens, TX
  • Propulsion and Energy Systems Integration Facility | 10,200 sq. ft.
  • The County of El Paso is constructing three additional new Integration Facilities and has procured one additional Integration Facility.
• Alpha Site | Propulsion and Large-Scale Testing | 18 Acres | Research and General Aviation Airport | 400 Acres | Fabens, TX
  • Six test cells (including one vertical test stand) and one mobile test stand
  • Runway 8/26: 4171′ x 60′ | Runway 16/34: 2218′ x 35′
• Bravo Site | Flight Test Range | 600 Acres | Tornillo, TX
  • 400-foot Runways | Ground Support
  • New (pending commissioning) Harrier DeTect Radar for BVLOS | 100 KW Power Trailer