DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT: A briefing on economic development programs that address various dimensions in the Status of Women Report
SUMMARY:
This is a briefing by the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department (EDD) on the economic development programs that address various dimensions in the Status of Women Report commissioned by the City of San Antonio.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2018, the City of San Antonio unanimously approved a resolution on Women’s Equity, reaffirming the commitment of the City to improve the status of women, specifically: 1) by eliminating all forms of violence against women, 2) by promoting the health and safety of women, 3) by promoting substantive economic and business opportunities for women, and 4) by promoting political participation and leadership by women.
In May 2019, the City of San Antonio finalized a report on the status of women that was prepared by Dr. Rogelio Saenz and Lily Casura from UTSA and utilized a variety of data sources to provide a detailed account of the standing of women with respect to health, education, work, housing, civic engagement, and violence, among others. The report, which can be found at <https://www.sanantonio.gov/Health/News/Reports>, was presented to the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, as well as City Council B Session in May 2019.
The City plans to use the information compiled from the report to inform the development of policies and programs focused on improving the status of women in San Antonio. In addition, the City will also be doing future analyses and reports on the Status of Women in San Antonio annually from hereon to be released every February and coincide with International Women’s Day. Further, Councilwoman Viagran requested the City’s Economic Development Department brief the City Council Economic and Workforce Development Committee Meeting on programs that provide assistance and economic opportunities to women.
ISSUE:
The Economic Development Department (EDD), through its small business and workforce divisions, has implemented programs and initiatives that address five (5) of the total thirteen (13) dimensions in the Status of Women Report commissioned by the City of San Antonio. These five (5) dimensions include:
• Education;
• Work;
• Economics;
• Business Entrepreneurship; and
• Civic Engagement
Among those programs and initiatives are:
• Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program;
• Mentor Protégé Program;
• Launch SA;
• Loan Interest Buydown Program;
• Small Business Development Fee Waiver Program;
• Small Business Outreach and Engagement; and
• Delegate Agency Funding.
Staff will brief the Committee on the metrics and outcomes associated with these program and initiatives.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing item only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a briefing item only.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This item is a staff briefing and requires no action.