President's POV
San Antonio showed up in a big way this month.
The Spurs’ run to an NBA Western Conference championship and their appearance in the Finals brought national attention to our city and served as a reminder that we have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
That same ambition is evident across our regional economic development efforts.
As of midyear, the pace and scale of economic development activity in the region are approaching levels we would typically expect closer to yearend. Only halfway through 2026, the total jobs pursued through RFI submissions have already reached 85% of the 2024 total and 67% of the 2025 total.
Earlier this month, we convened our investors to focus on how we continue to increase our competitiveness as a region. The conversation centered on execution, site readiness, infrastructure certainty, and the ability to respond quickly and credibly as projects move from evaluation to decision.
In today’s market, speed, clarity, and preparedness increasingly determine who competes and who wins. Our focus on reducing uncertainty, through site readiness, infrastructure alignment, and coordinated execution, is one of San Antonio’s most important competitive advantages.
That focus is already producing results. A growing share of projects have advanced into final stages, with nearly 6,000 jobs now moving through the public incentive review process, one of the last steps before decision. This reflects a pipeline that is converting because the fundamentals are in place.
At the same time, we continue investing in the talent that will support future business growth. Through SA WORX, greater:SATX's work-based learning initiative, 156 students are participating in paid internships this summer with 16 employers, including USAA, Southwest Research Institute, Toyota, Credit Human, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Port San Antonio, and the City of San Antonio. These internships connect students to real work experience while helping employers develop future talent.
San Antonio is not competing for the same opportunities it was even a few years ago. The scale is different. The expectations are higher. That progress is the result of proactive work to engage companies, build a stronger pipeline of opportunities, and invest in the people and places that support growth. Our focus now is turning that momentum into outcomes and opportunity into long-term growth for the region.
Greater together,
Sarah Carabias Rush
President & CEO
Investor Spotlight: Amegy Bank
Amegy Bank is a Texas-based financial institution with a strong presence in the San Antonio region, providing commercial banking, lending, treasury management, and advisory services that support businesses at every stage of growth. Working across industries, Amegy helps companies access capital, manage risk, and navigate opportunities for expansion, investment, and long-term performance.
In Greater San Antonio, Amegy Bank partners with businesses, developers, and institutions to support economic activity, finance projects, and strengthen the industries driving the region’s continued growth.
We spoke with David McGee, Central Texas CEO, about Amegy Bank’s work in the region, its perspective on San Antonio’s economic momentum, and why investing in greater:SATX matters.
Q2 Investor Meeting Highlights Regional Momentum and Focus on Execution
With approximately 6,000 jobs tied to projects currently moving through the public incentive process, San Antonio's economic development pipeline continues to gain momentum.
At the Q2 Investor Meeting, greater:SATX shared updates on project activity, site readiness, workforce development, and the regional coordination required to compete for increasingly complex opportunities.
Through the MOMENTUM:2030 strategy and continued collaboration with investors and partners, the region is working to convert that momentum into sustained job creation, capital investment, and long-term economic growth.
From Internship to Hire: How San Antonio Employers Are Building Talent Pipelines Early
Internships are increasingly becoming a long-term talent strategy for employers across the San Antonio region. Organizations are using work-based learning opportunities to engage students earlier, build relationships over time, and create pathways that can lead directly to employment.
From returning interns at Methodist Healthcare Ministries to International's hiring of 15 former internship participants, employers are seeing firsthand how internships can strengthen hiring pipelines while helping students develop skills and gain real-world experience.
As workforce needs continue to evolve, these programs are proving to be an effective way to connect talent with opportunity and support the region's long-term growth.
Inside the greater:SATX Internship Experience
Behind every internship is a student gaining exposure to new ideas, new industries, and new possibilities.
This summer, interns across the greater:SATX network are contributing to projects in workforce development, business retention, operations, technology, and investor relations while learning how those functions support the region’s growth.
Through hands-on experience and direct exposure to professional environments, students are developing practical skills, exploring career interests, and building a stronger understanding of the opportunities available across San Antonio.
As the region continues to invest in talent development, these experiences are helping young professionals turn curiosity into confidence and prepare for whatever comes next.
In the News
German aerospace manufacturer Blackwave to open first U.S. factory at Port San Antonio: German aerospace manufacturer Blackwave will open its first North American production facility at Port San Antonio, expanding its advanced composite manufacturing operations into the U.S. market. Company leaders cited San Antonio’s aerospace ecosystem, skilled workforce, and growing space industry presence as key factors in the decision, which is expected to strengthen the region’s position in the commercial space sector.
Port San Antonio approves $1M for efforts to lure Air Force cyber hub: Port San Antonio approved $1 million to advance its effort to relocate the Air Force’s cyber headquarters (Air Forces Cyber/16th Air Force) from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to the tech campus, including funding for design, engineering, and financing proposals. The move follows a new agreement with the Air Force to explore off-base solutions, reviving momentum for a project that Port officials say could deliver a modern cyber campus while reducing costs compared with traditional military construction.
USAA kicks off 250th anniversary celebrations in San Antonio: USAA kicked off celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary in San Antonio, highlighting the company’s deep ties to military members, veterans, and the local community. The event marks the start of a broader series of initiatives and programs recognizing the nation’s history and honoring military service ahead of the 2026 semiquincentennial.
San Antonio lunar research project aims to support NASA moon and Mars plans: San Antonio research organizations are partnering to create a National Lunar Research Center on the city’s West Side that will simulate the Moon’s surface to test technologies for NASA’s Artemis program. The project aims to support long‑term lunar missions, prepare for future Mars exploration, and expand San Antonio’s role in the growing space economy.
City expects to spend $90M on two properties critical to downtown sports district: San Antonio is nearing agreements to acquire key properties needed for Project Marvel, the downtown sports and entertainment district anchored by a new Spurs arena. City officials say they expect to secure the arena site by the end of the year, clearing a major hurdle for the multi‑billion‑dollar redevelopment effort.
‘Project DC’ aims to revitalize neglected district west of downtown: “Project DC” is a redevelopment effort aimed at revitalizing a long‑neglected area west of downtown San Antonio through new housing, infrastructure, and mixed‑use development. City leaders say the project is intended to spur economic growth, reconnect neighborhoods, and bring investment to an area that has seen decades of disinvestment.
Broadway transformed: A look at new developments, closures reshaping San Antonio corridor: Broadway is undergoing significant transformation, with new residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments reshaping the corridor between Mulberry Avenue and the University of the Incarnate Word. While new investment is bringing housing, retail, and infrastructure improvements, some longtime businesses and properties are being displaced as the corridor evolves into a denser urban district.
UT San Antonio ranks in top 13% of universities worldwide for research excellence: UT San Antonio was recognized among the top 13% of universities worldwide for research excellence, reflecting the university’s growing impact in scholarly output, innovation, and research quality. The ranking highlights UTSA’s continued rise as a leading research institution and reinforces its role in advancing discovery, talent development, and economic growth in the region.