Commentary: Tesla in Austin will benefit San Antonio – San Antonio Express-News

Tesla is coming to Texas.

As a proud San Antonian, I must overcome the urge to put several exclamation points at the end of that sentence. This is the exact opportunity for which our region has been preparing. City, county and private investments in a skilled workforce, supplier networks and international relations have quietly built an environment for the worlds makers to thrive.

Its likely that anyone living in San Antonio since 2003 knows this area is an automotive manufacturing hub. San Antonio has been making everything from taco seasoning to germ-zapping robots for generations. Because we are Military City, U.S.A., youll find standard-issue shoes, helmets, F-18s and military weaponry rolling off our production lines.

This history fuels my passion and has driven much of my career. Ive spent many years in economic development, most recently as Texas secretary of state working to build international relationships and grow economic opportunity for all Texans. Im also in the fortunate position to co-chair the San Antonio Economic Development Foundations International Advisory Council and serve on the organizations executive committee.

In my short time with the organization, weve further developed what was already a robust manufacturing cluster. Weve continued to grow our relationships and position the corridor from Austin, through San Antonio and down to Mexico as an attractive region for the many companies considering reshoring operations to North America.

Of course, our geography gives us an advantage, as does our infrastructure, but our supplier networks and relationships with Canada and Mexico will prove most valuable to future development.

The diversity of goods produced the fact that we manufacture on such a broad spectrum and innovate in the automotive and aerospace sectors speaks to our ability to grow a sector that has been shrinking across the country.

Through the efforts of the SAEDF, SA Works and their partners, were able to better understand what companies need, and ensure our training and education providers teach our labor force the advanced skills to have fulfilling careers producing American-made goods.

Back to Tesla. Some have expressed disappointment with Elon Musks decision to locate in Austin instead of San Antonio. To which I reply: We are always stronger together as a region.

Tesla is building its gigafactory in Austin, which is well within the corridor. This benefits the region. Our regional workforce and supplier network are very attractive. This is an opportunity to think strategically and operate as a mega-region by leveraging the tremendous assets of one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.

We look forward to working with leaders in Travis County to help replicate Bexar Countys success with Toyota as they seek to build a strong manufacturing ecosystem around Tesla. I see nothing but potential to make Central Texas a highly competitive and powerful automotive innovation cluster.

SAEDF is ready for the opportunity, and we need everyone to lean in with us. Even during a pandemic, our leading economic development entity has a healthy pipeline of companies looking to expand or locate in San Antonio. Forty percent of the active projects are in manufacturing, and one-third of those projects are international a direct result of companies such as Toyota, Aisin AW and Navistar investing in our region and people.

Welcome, Tesla. Welcome to the Lone Star State. Come and Make It.

Rolando Pablos is co-chair the San Antonio Economic Development Foundations International Advisory Council.

Read more from the original source:

Commentary: Tesla in Austin will benefit San Antonio - San Antonio Express-News

Related Posts

Comments are closed.