Once quiet and overlooked, a small Texas town has found itself at the center of conversations about the growth near San Antonio’s Far Westside. Microsoft tech investments, commercial growth, and new schools are driving the boom, capturing the attention of a broader audience.
Castroville, home to much of Medina County, lies just 30 minutes from the Alamo City, though its widespread back roads, roaring corn fields, and mom-and-pop shops used to make it feel even further. However, residents have witnessed major changes over the past few years, with several commercial projects gaining more traction this past summer.
In April, MySA reported on the county’s upcoming retail center, Alsatian Oaks, set to bring brands like Ulta Beauty, TJ Maxx, Five Below, Rack Room Shoes and Bath and Body Works. In June, plans for yet another shopping hub, Town East Crossing, came to light. All the while, Microsoft’s $1.5 billion bet on bringing data centers to the Hill Country town has been underway, raising concerns about how the company’s projects may impact water availability and local traffic.
In total, Microsoft plans to build 10 data centers between Bexar and Medina counties. With over 400 around the world, these provide the infrastructure needed to open a phone application, join a virtual Zoom meeting, play an online game, and more. According to the company’s website, they also allow the company’s Azure cloud platform, AI, and collaboration tools to continue operating as normal…