New Student Housing CoOp Project Slated Near Frio Street
San Antonio's first student housing cooperative (CoOp) complex is underway for development at 511 El Paso (just off Frio Street), which is located just south of the University of Texas at San Antonio downtown campus. Developer Michael Spencer announced the 12,000-square-foot warehouse will house approximately 40 students and more by fall 2013 if all goes well.
Meals on Wheels Seeking More Meal Delivery Partners
As the largest home-delivered meal program in Bexar County, Meals on Wheels of San Antonio prepares, packages, and delivers over 900,000 meals annually to homebound seniors in our community. The program is fortunate to manage staff and a small fleet of trucks to deliver meals, but almost half of the deliveries are performed by volunteers.
On a rotating basis each weekday, volunteers throughout the county donate their lunch hour to deliver meals in close proximity to where they work or live. Civic groups, churches, and corporations are now signing up to be official meal delivery partners of the program in where employees (members) take ownership of a delivery route nearby so that elderly neighbors don’t go hungry during the lunch hour.
OLLU: Best of the West 2013
Join Our Lady of the Lake University in celebrating Best of the West Fiesta 2013, this Sunday, April 21 from 1-9PM. Visit www.ollusa.edu/Fiesta for more information.
Look West Special: PRIMED FOR GROWTH
Hot off the press, click below to read articles published in the 4-12-13 San Antonio Business Journal's special section, "Look West". Featured stories include "Primed for Growth", "Westside Spirit Breathes New Life Into Revitalization Effort", and "Keeping Dreams Alive: Edgewood ISD Facilitates Innovative Approach for Re-purposing School Buildings". WDC Look West Special Insert | [Special Publication] | 3884 Kb |
Bake, Broil & Brew Is Serving Up Fresh Entrepreneurs in the City’s Oldest Neighborhood
Bake Broil & Brew (BBB) is proving to be a successful venture. Owners Michelle & David Solis are proud of bridging the gap to San Antonio’s culinary community with the first and only licensed incubator kitchen in Metro San Antonio. BBB offers commercial kitchen spaces for rent to aspiring entrepreneurs, chefs, students and brewers by the hour, day, week or month. This facility enables culinary professionals to build a reputation, provide professional and licensed catering and cooking, and build their business skills to one day own a thriving, successful, and independent business.Look West Breakfast and Congresman Joaquin Castro a Success!
The WDC hosted its first Look West Breakfast of the year at Silver Eagle Distributors last Wednesday, March 27 2013.
Look West Breakfast Series - March 27, 2013
RSVP today to attend the WDC's Look West Breakfast on March 27, 2013 from 7:30AM-9:00AM at Silver Eagle Distributors. The featured speaker for the event is Congressman Joaquin Castro, District 20. Individual tickets are $25 per person with opportunites available. Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 210-207-3916 for more information.
 Look West Breakfast Series Sponsorship Information | [Look West Breakfast Series Sponsorship Information] | 740 Kb |
A Conversation with B.J. "Red" McCombs
Through it's "Community Conversations" Series, St. Mary's University is hosting on February 28, 2013 at the University Center, Conf. Room A, B.J. "Red" McCombs. Enjoy a wine and cheese reception begining at 5:00 p.m. with presentation and conversation starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please click here.
Westside Community Small Business and Career Resource
Do you want to start your own business or help your existing business grow and succeed? The Library, in conjunction with the Westside Development Corporation (WDC) and its partners, have the information that you need to:- Write a business plan.
- Get a business loan.
- Research your industry and your competitors.
- Get certified to do business with local, state, and federal government.
- Conduct market research.
- Determine your SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats).
Grow West Business & Attraction Program
Last quarter, the WDC welcomed a new addition to our team, Roy Pachecano, AIA. Roy will serve as the WDC’s Grow West Program Officer. As a licensed architect, he brings a wealth of knowledge from the private sector, experience in sustainable development, as well as an appreciation and expertise as it relates to historic redevelopment.
The WDC is now offering expanded services through the Grow West Business and Attraction Program to include professional services such as real estate redevelopment, master planning, market analysis, investment pro-forma analysis, and architectural renderings.
Claim $3,000 in Empowerment Zone Tax Credits
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is encouraging businesses located in Empowerment Zones to take advantage of unused tax credits. These credits are only available to businesses having worksites located in federally designated areas and that have hired employees residing in designated areas. The application of the tenure requirements means that the employment credits are available for both part-time and full-time employees as long as they have been employed by the employer for at least 90 days. Download the attachment below to learn more.
| Empowerment Zone Credit Information | [Empowerment Zone Credit Information] | 101 Kb |
2013 National Small Business Week Nominations
State/District Small Business Person of the Year & Champion Awards
The SBA San Antonio District Office is now accepting nominations for next year’s Small Business Week!
Look West Breakfast A Success!
In the photo, from L-R are Danny Osborne (Capital One Bank), Jennifer Spickler (Capital One Bank), Jordana Barton (Capital One Bank), Ray Flores (WDC), Andrea Nocito (U.T.S.A. Small Business Development Office), and Rudy Garza (C.P.S. Energy).
The WDC, in partnership with C.P.S. Energy and U.T.S.A. Institute for Economic Development Small Business Development Center, held our bi-annual Look West Breakfast Series on November 15, 2012, focusing on energy sustainability and efficiency. Speaking at the business education event was Chair of Build San Antonio Green, Commissioner Tommy Adkisso of Pct. 4, Andrea Nocito of U.T.S.A. Small Business Development Center, and Rudy Garza, Vice President of External Affairs at C.P.S. Energy.
Look West Breakfast: Energy Sustainability & Efficiency
Join us November 15 at 7:30AM to discuss the lastest developments in energy. To RSVP, click here.
| Look West Breakfast Sponsorship Info 2012 | [Look West Breakfast Sponsorship Info 2012] | 58 Kb |
Westside Potential Landmarks and Cultural Resource Survey
The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) has collected public feedback on the Potential Westside Landmark properties that were identified over the past year as part of the Westside Cultural Resource Survey. Based on community feedback and eligibility, the OHP will identify a select number of properties to move forward with historic landmark designation to ensure the protection of these significant Westside resources. The OHP will work with property owners over the next month and will host a public meeting for owners of the selected properties.
TexStar National Bank Celebrates Solar Installation at Downtown/Westside Branch
TexStar National Bank has implemented a plan to reduce fossil-fuel consumption at the lender’s San Antonio area office buildings. Bank officials say they are working to support the City of San Antonio area goals of becoming a clean-energy city and have already noticed an approximately 30% savings in overall energy costs. On Sunday, October 7, a “Green” ribbon cutting event was held at TexStar’s Downtown Westside Branch, located at 803 W. Commerce Street.
Huevos Rancheros Quinceañera Celebration
With a hot rod procession, a royal crowning, a feast, live music, and an art auction, San Anto Cultural Arts (SACA) kicks off its Huevos Rancheros Quinceañera Celebration, marking the organization’s 15th Annual Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Gala and Silent Art Auction. The celebration, which benefits SACA community arts programs, will take place at Plaza Guadalupe, located at 1327 Guadalupe St., on Saturday October 6th, 2012 from 9am – 12pm.
Click here to read more.
Grand Opening of Girl Scouts New West Side Facility
The new Girl Scout center was made possible through a partnership between GSSWT and Edgewood Independent School District (EISD). After closing the Coronado/Escobar Elementary School campus in 2011 in anticipation of state budget cuts, EISD is leasing nearly 40,000 square feet of the facility to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas for three years.
| West Side Girl Scouts Leadership Center | [WS Girl Scout Leadership Center ] | 788 Kb |
August 18th West Side Economic Development Summit
 Action Plan Update Presentation | [ ] | 21759 Kb |
New West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center Expands Services
San Antonio, TX – At Edgewood ISD’s inaugural Gamma Sigma Girls™ and Gamma Sigma Pearls Investiture Ceremony, more than 100 teen girls were welcomed into Girl Scouting. Among the lit candles and enameled membership pins, leaders from Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT), Edgewood ISD and the Westside Development Corporation unveiled plans for the new West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center at Coronado/Escobar, located at 5622 W. César E. Chávez Blvd., formally known as W. Durango.
ACCION Texas Announces Capital Campaign
SAN ANTONIO – Accion Texas Inc., a nationally respected nonprofit small business lender with the country’s largest microloan portfolio, today announced a $5.5 million capital campaign to build a new campus on the city’s West Side.
2012 Westside Honors Gala Honoree Videos
The WDC hosted its third annual Westside Honors Gala: Éxitos en Nuestro Barrio this year at Rosedale Park – 340 Dartmouth, Thursday, May 10, 2012. Despite the rain, this unique, outdoor event honored Mrs. Patti Radle, Mr. Alex Briseño, Mr. Ramiro Cavazos, and Mr. Enrique and Mrs. Isabel Sanchez. The Honorary Event Chair and keynote speaker was Mr. Henry Cisneros. Westside Honors Gala 2012 Honoree Alex Briseno. To watch videos click on Read More...
SA Business Journal: WDC Special Articles
In the Friday May, 2012 Edition of the San Antonio Business Journal the Westside Development Corporation is prominently featured. In this edition there is vital information on the Westside's Creative Economy, Informal Economy, Green Jobs, Education, Health, Transportation, Quality of life, and the role the WDC has played assisting local small businesses. Click Here to Download the Special Edition Insert
CVB Facebook
SAN ANTONIO (March 28, 2012) -- Mayor Julián Castro kicked off a new national advertising campaign for San Antonio by showing how one of his favorite San Antonio memories could be used as a photo in an ad. The new campaign, called "Remember the..." will use photos that are entirely generated by those who love the city best, its residents and those who travel to the city for leisure and business. Click Here to View.
Westside Economic Development Summit Meeting Held at Westside Family YMCA
From left to right, Alejandro Soto (Woodlawn Lake Community Association President), Mayor Julián Castro, and Roberto Rodríguez (San Antonio River Authority Board Member). On Saturday, October 29, the fourth and final community meeting in the Westside Economic Development Summit series was held at the Westside Family YMCA. Attendees heard more details about the action plan to develop the community's top five priority corridors and top 10 priority projects.| CorridorProjectMap.pdf | [Westside Development Corporation Asset Map ] | 1345 Kb |
| WDC Presentation 10-29-11.pdf | [October 29, 2011 Presentation] | 1528 Kb |
| Westside Economic Development Summits Final Report 12-13-11.pdf | [FINAL REPORT FOR WESTSIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMITS] | 160 Kb |
WDC Look West Breakfast Series
The WDC held its first Look West Breakfast of the year on March 9 on the topic of Growing & Hiring in 2012. The event, held in El Progreso Hall, featured a presentation by Workforce Solutions Alamo Executive Director Patrick Newman, Workforce Solutions Alamo Business Services Director Charlie Moke, and San Antonio Housing Authority CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez. Sponsors were Workforce Solutions Alamo, SAHA, Capital One Bank, BBVA Compass, Silver Eagle Distributors, Broadway Bank, ACCION Texas Inc., Hispanic Contractors Association, Wells Fargo, Frost, M&M Weatherization, and Central Electric.