Why Lubbock Is Quietly Becoming One of Texas’ Most Important Cities | Mayor Mark McBrayer

What makes the City of Lubbock one of the most underrated growth stories in the state?In this episode of The Building Texas Show host Justin McKenzie sits down in Lubbock with Mayor Mark McBrayer for a deep, honest conversation about how this West Texas city is planning for the future — not just the next election cycle, but the next 100 years.Lubbock is often associated with @texastech but as Mayor McBrayer explains, the city stands on three powerful pillars: education, agriculture, and healthcare — with a growing industrial and entrepreneurial economy now accelerating that momentum.In this conversation, we explore:Why Lubbock is one of the youngest major cities in TexasHow long-term water and infrastructure planning is shaping growthWhy Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella producer in the U.S., invested nearly $1 billion in LubbockWhat makes Lubbock a magnet for businesses, families, and entrepreneursThe role of downtown revitalization, culture, and civic investmentWhy quality of life — not congestion — is driving the next wave of Texas growthHow Lubbock collaborates with other West Texas cities like Midland-Odessa and AmarilloWhat Mayor McBrayer wants residents to look forward to in 2026 and beyondThis episode is for anyone interested in:Texas economic developmentMid-sized cities and growth strategyWater, infrastructure, and long-range planningEntrepreneurship and business relocationThe future of West Texas📍 Watch the full episode and join the conversation in the comments📌 Subscribe to The Building Texas Show for long-form conversations shaping the future of Texas🔔 New episodes featuring cities, founders, and leaders across Texas🔗 Helpful Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeLubbock Economic Development AllianceTexas Tech University & Innovation HubUniversity Medical Center & Covenant HealthLet’s talk Texas.Where do you see the next wave of growth happening — West Texas or the Texas Triangle?