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Jenna Saucedo-Herrera is a native San Antonian and president and chief executive officer of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) since 2016. Saucedo-Herrera and her team are responsible for advancing the diversification and growth of the San Antonio regional economy through domestic and international business development, partnerships, and market strategies. You can subscribe to read what she shares in the recurring SAEDF newsletter.

Saucedo-Herrera shares how the headquarters for three tech companies moved to San Antonio after SAEDF announced in April its regional strategy for economic development called All In SATX.

SAEDF exists to bring quality jobs to the region. We know that in order to attract and grow quality employment opportunities, San Antonio has to have a talented workforce and outstanding quality of life for a diverse population.

The All In SATX framework is simple: Jobs, People, and Place. SAEDF’s annual business plan puts the framework into action and measures results. While the framework is simple, the impact is significant when our region takes action as a collective.

We’re just scratching the surface and already, in the past month, three headquarters operations decided to grow in the San Antonio region.

  • Matthews International Corporation plans to develop the North American divisional headquarters for its Saueressig Engineering business on San Antonio’s east side. The planned $9M investment will initially create 50 high-wage jobs. The German company designs, manufactures, and services high-tech equipment like lithium-ion battery electrodes, fuel cell plates, and hot-embossed foils.
  • Skipcart is a fast-growing technology platform used by restaurants and retailers for last-mile delivery. The Boerne-based company was courted by Las Vegas and Austin, ultimately deciding to stay in our region and grow by 100 high-wage jobs. The company is moving its HQ to downtown San Antonio, near Travis Park.
  • TaskUs is a tech-services company that since opening its first San Antonio office in 2017, has grown to employ more than 1,500 people in the region, including the 510 employees at their New Braunfels headquarters, previously in California.

San Antonio, as well as other mid-size markets, is poised to continue attracting talent and corporate headquarters in a post-pandemic environment. With the momentum I’ve seen building, I know this is only the beginning.

Over the past few years, SAEDF has focused on engaging the private sector and growing the momentum behind our corporate recruitment and workforce development activity. With our strategy in place and our annual plan in its second quarter, we are beginning to see the tide turn for San Antonio’s business environment.

In the latest Brookings Metro Recovery Index, San Antonio has a strong trajectory coming out of the pandemic. Our real estate market remains tight, but our labor market and economic activity are trending well above other large metros.

The impact of COVID-19 on our economy was massive and lingers, but our region is headed in the right direction. I am looking forward to the other side, and to celebrating even more growth in our region.

The featured image is of Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and chief executive officer of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF). Courtesy photo.