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The Civic Tech Scholars Program, in partnership with the Better Futures Institute, convened a panel discussion to explore the future of economic development in San Antonio. The panel included Mike Ramsey, Director of the Workforce Development Office, Shea Hopkins, CEO of SA Ready to Work, and Romanita Matta-Barrera, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Alamo. The discussion between panelists and interns centered around the challenges of young talent retention within San Antonio, the significant effects of urban sprawl in Greater SA, and the role of public-private partnerships in fostering economic growth within underserved areas and downtown.
This white paper marks the first step in a collaborative research initiative aimed at gathering feedback from multiple stakeholders regarding civic and economic issues that San Antonians face every day and how business leaders can invest their growth models into strategies for economic development in the city. Small groups of Civic Tech Scholar Interns compiled key insights from the panel discussions, identified courses of action for the city to take, and highlighted critical challenges.
The next research phase involves developing consultation plans to engage stakeholders and community members about furthering economic growth through underserved areas of San Antonio. This plan will include surveys, community town halls, and online platforms to gather feedback that will inform future policy recommendations and guide further research for Civic Tech Scholars at the Better Futures Institute and city leaders.
Key Recommendations:
One of the panel’s key themes was the role of higher education in creating a skilled workforce for San Antonio’s future. The city has several universities and educational institutions, but the challenge lies in ensuring that graduates remain in San Antonio to contribute to the local economy. In 2023, Alamo Colleges had a “record-breaking 70,000 students enrolled, with 14,00 of those enrolling in college for the first time” (San Antonio Report).
Key Opportunity: By developing career pipelines through partnerships between higher education institutions and local industries, San Antonio can retain its talent. Programs like SA Ready to Work, which collaborate with educational institutions to provide training in high-demand fields, are essential for ensuring that local talent is prepared for the future job market.
The panel also explored strategies for encouraging businesses to establish themselves in economically disadvantaged areas of San Antonio. According to the City of San Antonio, “17.6% of residents live in poverty compared to 14.2% in Texas overall” (2022). Uplifting these areas is critical for reducing socioeconomic segregation while preserving the city’s history and culture.
Key Opportunity: Creating incentives for businesses to develop in underserved areas, while ensuring that the benefits flow directly to the community, can spur local economic growth. This requires collaboration between city officials, businesses, and community leaders to ensure that development is inclusive and addresses the needs of residents.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were highlighted as critical tools for promoting economic development and building a skilled workforce in San Antonio. Engaging the private sector is crucial to ensure that training programs align with the skills needed by local industries.
Key Opportunity: Programs like SA Ready to Work and Up Partnership can serve as models for expanding public-private collaboration. By working closely with industries, these programs can ensure that training initiatives are aligned with the evolving needs of San Antonio’s economy.
The panel discussion highlighted several promising initiatives that are already in place and contributing to the economic development of San Antonio:
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Although the panel discussion focused heavily on promising practices, several persistent challenges were identified that require attention:
San Antonio’s urban sprawl exacerbates issues related to accessibility. Trust for Public Land reports that “52% of San Antonio residents live within walking distance of a park” (2024). The city’s vast geographic size, combined with limited public transportation options, creates barriers for residents trying to access education, training programs, and job opportunities in different areas of the city.
Key Challenge: Improving transportation infrastructure and expanding public transit options are critical for ensuring that all residents can access economic opportunities and educational resources.
A recurring concern throughout the discussion was talent retention. According to Axios, “0.9% of college graduates aged 25 and up who moved to a new county chose to relocate to San Antonio” (2023). San Antonio is producing a highly skilled workforce through its educational programs, but many graduates leave the city in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
Key Challenge: San Antonio must focus on creating professional communities for young workers, offering more opportunities for career advancement, and improving workplace culture to retain the talent it produces.
The lack of quality public transportation is a significant barrier to economic mobility and workforce development. A report from the American Public Transportation Association finds that “planned public transportation investments will yield a 2 to 1 return while helping to generate income for local businesses” (2023). Without reliable transportation, many residents are unable to access education and employment programs, perpetuating the cycle of socioeconomic segregation.
Key Challenge: Addressing transportation infrastructure gaps is essential for increasing access to jobs, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs, particularly for residents in underserved communities.
San Antonio should continue to develop career pipelines through higher education institutions and local industries. Programs like SA Ready to Work and Alamo Fellows can serve as models for creating more pathways for students to enter high-demand fields, ensuring that the local workforce remains competitive.
To encourage businesses to establish themselves in economically disadvantaged areas, the city should offer targeted incentives that ensure the benefits of development directly impact the community. Collaborating with local stakeholders to identify community needs and align development goals will help create more inclusive economic growth.
San Antonio should continue to leverage public-private partnerships to drive economic development. Programs like SA Ready to Work have demonstrated the value of these partnerships in creating a skilled workforce. Expanding these collaborations to other industries can help ensure that local talent is prepared for the jobs of the future.
Improving transportation infrastructure is critical for increasing access to education, employment, and workforce development programs. Expanding public transportation options and investing in transit-oriented development will help reduce barriers to economic mobility and increase workforce participation across the city
San Antonio’s economic future depends on its ability to retain local talent, address urban sprawl, and expand public-private partnerships. By focusing on cultivating a highly-skilled workforce, promoting business development in disadvantaged areas, and investing in transportation infrastructure, the city can build a more inclusive and prosperous economy. The insights from the Economic Development panel provide a roadmap for tackling these challenges and creating a thriving economic environment for all residents.
