DEPARTMENT: Office of the City Clerk
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tina J. Flores, City Clerk
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Consideration of Applicants to the San Antonio Economic Development Corporation Board (3 seats)
SUMMARY:
The Economic and Workforce Development Council (EWDC) Committee will review and consider applicants for the San Antonio Economic Development Corporation (SAEDC) Board. The Board is comprised of seven seats, of which three are held by Citizen At-Large. The remaining four seats are held by the Mayor; the City Manager; and two Council Members, Council District 3 and Council District 8. A total of seven applicants will be considered for the three Citizen At-Large seats.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Economic Development Corporation (SAEDC) is a nonprofit corporation that was created by the City Council in May 2010 with the purpose of focusing on job creation and promoting long term economic growth specific to the San Antonio regional business ecosystem. Over the years, the SAEDC has invested over $14 million in 7 economic development projects and currently holds equity in 20 startup companies.
The SAEDC has solidified its position over the years as a dependable partner in the entrepreneurship and start-up communities, regularly taking part in local investment pitches and connecting new companies with the appropriate resources and assistance they may need to succeed. Additionally, in collaboration with key economic development partners, the SAEDC has started its annual Military Industry Day so that local vendors and businesses can network with military personnel and learn more about the Federal and Department of Defense procurement process. The SAEDC staff is often evaluating San Antonio’s emerging and developing industries and markets in order to make strategic investments and help spur further economic growth.
Recognizing the intense concentration of military and medical presence in San Antonio, the SAEDC initiated a study in order to develop the San Antonio Military Life Science Commercialization Action Plan. One of the action items identified by the Plan was the creation of the San Antonio Military Medical Innovation (SAMMI) Fund. The purpose of the SAMMI Fund is to promote local economic development by providing financial assistance to early-stage local companies engaged in the development of products and technologies that support military medical requirements, as well as having the potential for broader civilian markets. In 2019, the SAEDC took another step towards that achieving that item by hiring a Director to manage the SAMMI program. As a result, the SAMMI Fund has resulted in the successful investment of three (3) local start-up organizations in 2020 with the next round of funding currently under way.
ISSUE:
The SAEDC is governed by a Board which is comprised of seven (7) members from the following categories: Mayor - one (1) seat; Councilmembers - two (2) seats; City Manager - one (1) seat; and Citizens At-Large - three (3) seats. The three (3) Citizens At-Large seats are appointed by the City Council. The terms for the Citizen members have since lapsed and require new appointments.
After marketing and community outreach efforts, a total of eight (8) applications were received and seven (7) were deemed qualified applicants for the three (3) available seats for the category of Citizen At-Large. The EWDC Committee will review the seven (7) qualified applications submitted and consider three (3) for appointment.
The applicants listed below qualify for appointment:
Category |
Applicant |
Citizen At-Large |
Corey Douglas Andrews |
Citizen At-Large |
Kenneth Wayne Briggs III |
Citizen At-Large |
Christopher Rosas |
Citizen At-Large |
Sylvia Lopez Gaona |
Citizen At-Large |
Dr. Christine L Burke |
Citizen At-Large |
Carlos D. Gonzalez |
Citizen At-Large |
Margie Johnson |
ALTERNATIVES:
The Committee can reject all or some of the applicants. If applicants are rejected, this would require the application process to start over, delaying the work of the San Antonio Economic Development Corporation Board without a full membership.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
The recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Council Committee will be presented to the full City Council for approval at a future Council A Session.