President POV
I recently had the opportunity to speak at an event where I stumbled over a word. Fortunately, the audience was there to help me out. That word was ‘authentically.’ I even tried to turn it into a verb, and here's why. Our region is au-then-tic-al-ly greater together. You see this in my email signature, not because it sounds good, but because I truly believe it. This role has allowed me to witness firsthand the possibilities that can happen when we work together, as one team.
If you've been following greater:SATX or the recent news, you know our region has much to celebrate. We recently launched the first-ever nonstop trans-Atlantic flight from San Antonio International Airport to Frankfurt, Germany. We're also making significant strides in securing a nonstop flight connecting San Antonio with Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. We are closer than ever, and American Airlines is partnering with us to allow this vision to take flight.
This year is on track to be a remarkable one for job growth and investment in San Antonio as well. NukuDo, a cybersecurity workforce development firm, has chosen San Antonio for its North American headquarters. NukuDo will train workers and help them with job placements in cybersecurity, which is one of our fastest-growing sectors. As we approach midyear, greater:SATX has successfully closed 13 projects, including NukuDo, creating an estimated 1,090 jobs with the potential of announcing an additional 1,500+ new jobs by the end of Q2. And we still have the second half of the year ahead of us.
These achievements are possible because together, we are authentically SATX. We know how to win together better than any other community. Whether it's a new nonstop flight to Europe, direct service to DCA, increasing educational attainment, or supporting the relocation or expansion of a company, we move forward—together. The collaborative efforts of local businesses, elected officials, government leaders, and the community have been pivotal in driving this economic momentum. Our collective vision and teamwork are transforming aspirations into tangible successes, proving that our strength truly lies in our unity.
As we celebrate these successes, our work continues to build an SATX that creates pathways to prosperity for our neighbors. This is more critical than ever. San Antonio was recently named the fastest-growing metro in the country, adding 22,000 residents in 2023. The greater region continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the nation. Job growth is essential to ensure that everyone moving here and those who already live here have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Looking ahead to the second half of the year, we are optimistic that 2024 will be one of the best years yet for our region.
As we celebrate these milestones and continue our journey, let's stay committed to being authentically SATX—greater together, forging ahead with the confidence that our best days are still to come.
Greater Together,
Jenna Saucedo-Herrera
Regional Updates
Investor Spotlight: Terracon
Since its founding in 1965, Terracon has grown and evolved to become a thriving, employee-owned, multidiscipline engineering consulting firm delivering facilities, environmental, geotechnical, and materials services. Their more than 6500 curious minds include engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide.
Regional Partner Highlight: Floresville
The great City of Floresville, Texas is a vibrant and growing community and the county seat of Wilson County, Texas. Situated strategically outside of San Antonio and just north of the oil and gas discoveries in the Eagle Ford Shale region, Floresville provides a culturally diverse home for an ever-growing number of residents looking to escape some of the big city bustle for a more intimate community.
In the News
Port San Antonio jockeying to be ‘flying car’ hub: A deal is in the works to build a vertiport at Port San Antonio and state agencies preparing for this new mode of transportation, the port is seeking a corporate partner to help grow eVTOL capabilities in the region. Like many new capabilities, technology is outpacing the government’s regulatory agencies overseeing them. As regulators figure out how eVTOLs can operate in various types of controlled and uncontrolled airspace, the Port’s CEO believes the port is a good venue to help work through some of the nuances.
As San Antonio grows, so will the tech and science sectors of the economy: San Antonio is the second fastest growing city in the nation. And as the population continues to boom that also means the need for businesses and job creation to keep the economy going. But as the city population grows, the focus from local job creators is narrowing, with the focus shifting to mainly the technology, military, and medical industries.
Done Deal: U.K. company clears key hurdle for $265M SA plant: JCB has completed its purchased nearly 400 acres in South San Antonio. Terms of the land acquisition were not disclosed, but the two-parcel site will be home to a roughly $265 million production campus spanning approximately 720,000 square feet. Once completed, it Will be JCB’s largest North American manufacturing facility. Local officials project that the economic impact on the area from the development will approach $30 million.
Texas Biomed awarded $2.5M from feds for support of workforce development: The Texas Biomedical Institute will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the construction of a multi-species veterinary care facility and in support of the institute’s research. The grant award is part of a $6.3 million investment by the EDA into the state of Texas to support business growth and workforce development in areas affected by hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters occurring in 2021 and 2022.
Airline already lined up for SA to DC flights: Now that the U.S. House and Senate have approved Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act legislation including new flights to and from Ronald Reagan National Airport, the race is on among cities and airlines to grab those slots. The Alamo City is already activating a plan to ensure it’s no longer blocked from that coveted air space. San Antonio International Airport and American Airlines have teamed to try and secure nonstop service between SAT and DCA.
Caterpillar investing $90M to upgrade production capabilities in Schertz, Seguin: Caterpillar announced a $90 million investment in two of its facilities in the San Antonio suburbs of Schertz and Seguin. The firm is preparing the two sites to produce its new Cat C13D industrial diesel engine, with $70 million going to Schertz for new equipment installs and the remaining $20 million intended for Seguin to support engine assembly. 25 new jobs are slated for the Schertz facility.
‘Stripes are here!’: German airliner launches first transatlantic flight from SAT: For local officials, the Frankfurt flight opens the door to economically fruitful leisure travel and increased tourism, but also new business opportunities. Mayor Ron Nirenberg noted that the new air service will have an estimated $34 million economic impact over this summer and next. The nonstop service to Flughafen Frankfurt Main, Germany’s main international airport, operates three days a week through Sept. 6, and again between May and September in 2025.
Could new Space Force cyber warfare unit land in San Antonio? Some leaders trying to land it here: The U.S. Space Force is planning to create its own cyber warfare headquarters, it confirmed this week, and some San Antonio leaders are vying to land the unit here. San Antonio — already known as Military City USA and Cyber City USA — may seem a natural fit for the new organization but the military’s basing process is slow and complicated by special interests and political motives. The city learned those lessons the hard way when it failed to lure Space Command two years ago. But at least some say they’re ready to take another shot.
New cybersecurity school in San Antonio to pay students $4k monthly salary: A new cybersecurity school that has set up shop in San Antonio is promising paid training, job placement and continuing education for those seeking a career in the quick-growing field. NukuDo, a Delaware-based cybersecurity training firm, announced the launch of its San Antonio-based U.S. headquarters. Instead of paying out of pocket or using public funds, students get paid $4,000 a month by the company during their training with the agreement that they’ll work where the company places them for three years upon completion of their coursework.