San Antonio Economic and Labor Development Board Meeting - April 6, 2026
San Antonio Economic and Labor Development Board Meeting – April 6, 2026
The Economic and Labor Development Board of San Antonio met on April 6, 2026, starting at 10:01 a.m. and concluding at 12:20 p.m. The meeting covered updates on the Ready to Work program, the local tourism and hospitality sector, a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) certification and accelerator plan, a veteran business accelerator pilot, and a report on a trade mission to Taiwan. Council members present included President Villagrán and Councilors Castillo, Galván, Mesa González, and Spears.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Melanie McCoy (veteran and small business owner) expressed full support for the AI certificate and accelerator program, stating it would help military spouses, veterans, and workers become competitive. She also voiced strong support for the veteran business accelerator, urging the city to leverage local resources rather than look elsewhere.
- Francisco Martinez (President of Project Western) congratulated Councilor Spears for advancing the AI initiative, emphasizing the need to connect residents to new job opportunities and to take a strategic approach.
- Jennifer (President of TriStar Talent, 40-year woman-owned business) spoke in favor of the AI accelerator, noting that the city already has infrastructure through Ready to Work and Project Quest to support training and certification. She stressed the importance of co-design and hiring graduates.
- Henry Griffith (Northwest Vista College) highlighted work done since 2023 with Microsoft to develop AI solutions for individuals, especially those not on a traditional career path. He expressed excitement about partnering with the city on the AI program.
- Mira Shaw (AI company representative) stated his company has trained 82 people in San Antonio from basic knowledge to marketing uses. He expressed confidence that San Antonio can become one of the most fluent cities in AI and offered to work with the city.
Ready to Work Program Update
- Mike (presenter) provided a comprehensive update. Key statistics: 33,000 average annual salary increase for graduates; 15,000+ participants enrolled in subsidized courses; 6,500 completed training and placed in jobs; 60% placed within six months, 73% within 12 months. Total economic impact of $11 billion over first three years (May 2022 – October 2025), with $1.25 return for every $1 spent. For FY2027, proposed budget of $42.8 million, with 50% for tuition and 10% for participant support, 5% for emergency assistance, 5% for outreach, 4% for supportive services, 3% for evaluation, and 2% for childcare. A contract amendment for adult education (GED) seeks an increase from $4.3 million to $6.185 million. Council members discussed transportation barriers, childcare funding (currently 2%), and the need to increase job placement numbers. Councilor Castillo and Spears emphasized improving completion and placement rates, especially for single parents. Councilor Galván asked about the impact of Pell Grants on program longevity. Next steps: presentation to City Council Session B on April 15, budget approval April 28, and consideration May 7.
Tourism and Hospitality Sector Update
- Mario Vasquez (President of Visit San Antonio) reported record economic impact of $23.4 billion in 2024, with $284 million in tax revenue. San Antonio welcomed 4.2 million international visitors in 2024 (a 30% increase). 75% of visitors are from Texas. The hospitality industry employs one in eight San Antonio residents. Convention sales reached a record 950,000 hotel room nights in FY2025. Challenges include competition from other Texas cities and the lack of a FIFA World Cup game in San Antonio (though the city is marketing as a stay-over destination for fans). Councilor Villagrán noted the importance of leveraging associations, the new Alamo Dome, and the walkable convention center. Councilor Spears asked about medical tourism and sports diplomacy. Councilor Galván inquired about the impact of short-term rentals and labor disputes on tourism. Councilor Mesa González discussed the need for convention center expansion to stay competitive.
Artificial Intelligence Certification & Accelerator Program
- Mike presented a seven-phase plan to validate employer demand, design training aligned with employers, develop apprenticeships, ensure support for vulnerable residents, conduct financial analysis, define metrics, and recommend a pilot. Key employers involved: CPS Energy, HEB, Methodist Healthcare, Port San Antonio, Rackspace, USAA, VIA. Estimated cost for an external consultant is $30,000–$50,000. Councilor Spears championed the initiative, noting it can make San Antonio a pioneer. Councilor Castillo stressed the need to align with existing programs. Councilor Galván asked about which sectors would be affected and how to retrain workers. Councilor Mesa González requested faster connection between employer feedback and training. Councilor Villagrán raised concerns about job displacement (citing examples of graphic artists and writers) and urged a focus on creative industries and senior workers. She suggested using local expertise instead of outside consultants.
Veteran Business Accelerator Pilot
- Alfred (presenter) outlined a $350,000 program to support veteran entrepreneurs, including an accelerator component, training, mentoring, and access to capital. San Antonio has 5% veteran-owned businesses and 10.1% veteran population, higher than peer cities. Current services through Launch SA have provided 1.7 million in support over three years. A pilot will run over the summer, with results to be reported in fall 2026. Councilor Villagrán emphasized the need to reach veterans in underserved parts of the city (west, east, south) and to connect them with the trades and construction. Councilor Spears noted the importance of supporting military families and active-duty spouses, and suggested using AI tools for them. Councilor Mesa González asked about collaboration with university veteran centers and existing satisfaction with Launch SA. Councilor Castillo recommended consulting with the city's veteran commission and considering older veterans.
Key Outcomes
- Ready to Work: The board received the update as information. No vote taken; the item will go to City Council for budget approval on April 28.
- AI Program: The board discussed and expressed broad support for moving forward with the seven-phase plan. Staff will present a more detailed proposal at a future meeting.
- Veteran Accelerator: The board endorsed the pilot approach. Staff will return in summer/fall 2026 with findings and a contract renewal proposal for Launch SA.
- Taiwan Mission: Councilor Spears reported on the trade mission (Taipei and Kaohsiung) focused on semiconductors, space, manufacturing, and quantum computing. The trip reinforced San Antonio’s global competitiveness. No formal action taken.
- Meeting Adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Muy bien, yo sé que mis otros colegas no están aquí, pero ahora son 10, 1 de la mañana, abril seis del 2026, y la Junta del Desarrollo Económico y Laboral se llama orden. Por favor, el señor Secretaria pase orden, concejal Castillo, concejal Galván, concejal Mesa González, concejal Spears, Presidente Villagrán. Aquí, Presidente Termoscore. Muy bien. Muy bien. Me pueden secundar. Me pueden dar una misión y secundar y secundarla para aprobar la minuta. Tengo una moción y está secundada. Los que están a favor digan sí. Los que se oponen, digan no. La moción pasa. Muy bien. Tenemos personas apuntadas para hablar. Vamos a continuar y empezar con nuestro comentario público. Cada persona en comentario público va a tener tres minutos para hablar. Vamos a empezar con Melanie McCoy. Buenos días, concejales. Buenos días, señor López. Buenos días por su oportunidad de estar aquí. Yo quiero hablar acerca de dos puntos. El certificado de inteligencia artificial y el programa de aceleración. También el asunto de veteranos. Esto hacer San Antonio, el capital humano del país. Realmente quería veterana. Entonces, me da, estoy contenta de estar aquí, hablar acerca de estos dos temas hoy. Primero, nuestra inteligencia artificial sabemos que ya está aquí. Ustedes están proponiendo este tema el día de hoy en este punto. Es más emocionante porque proporciona a toda la comunidad la oportunidad de elevar y presentarse en una manera en donde tienen una ventaja competitiva. Sabemos que las esposas de los militares, de los padres, y algunos a lo mejor trabajadores han tenido dificultades en ser competitivos, pero tenemos la solución de la inteligencia artificial que va a proporcionar ayuda para ser competitivos y sobresalir. Desde esa perspectiva, yo estoy emocionada porque quiero contratar a algunos de sus graduados, porque tengo un equipo muy pequeño y estoy muy agradecido en este espacio. Cualquier cosa que podamos hacer para hacer crecer nuestra capacidad y asegurarnos de que utilicemos agentes de inteligencia y nuestro equipo puede trabajar con lo que inteligencia artificial puede hacer con todas las comunidades. Es súper importante. Estoy contenta de que ustedes estén hablando de este tema el día de hoy para seguir adelante. Y uno de los graduados que esté listo para ser ubicado y que podamos contratar a alguno de ellos. Yo tengo una plaza abierta para ello a ver qué pueden hacer para nosotros. Estoy muy contenta por eso. Y también el apoyo de negocios pequeños. También yo soy un dueño de negocio pequeño. Estoy activamente no estoy activamente trabajando en mi negocio, pero hay barreras, programas y cosas que están disponibles a través del país. Estoy súper emocionada de que ustedes propongan San Antonio aquí en el patio de atrás. Entonces, compañeros veteranos, por favor, busquen, no busquen algo allá atrás del patio. Aquí hay un programa acelerador con el que pueden trabajar. Es competitivo y podemos asegurarnos de que la comunidad, la innovación de los veteranos que están haciendo crecer su negocio. Uno de mis compañeros empresarios veteranos no estaba aquí en esta ciudad. Quería hablar, pero está en Houston, de hecho, en una competencia. Y es una cosa muy importante que están proponiendo ustedes. Traer algo al concejal Spears. Muchas gracias por eso. Hay un potencial grande de tener algo aquí. Nosotros en nuestro patio, en esta comunidad, entender quién está aquí y con estos negocios pequeños.
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