San Antonio Mayor Launches Tech Dream Team to Lure High-Paying Jobs

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San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has assembled an 11-member Economic Security Advisory Group to help the city compete for cutting-edge industries in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology and space manufacturing. The group, chaired by Port San Antonio CEO Jim Perschbach, will provide guidance on infrastructure upgrades and economic incentives that could shape a future city bond measure. The mayor plans to travel to Taiwan in March with council members and advisory group members as part of a global outreach push.

Why it matters

San Antonio is leveraging its Military City USA identity and deep bench of advanced manufacturing talent to attract high-tech employers. The new advisory group gives the mayor a formal way to align the city's research institutions, defense connections and industrial assets as it courts companies in emerging tech sectors.

The details

The Economic Security Advisory Group will meet quarterly and provide recommendations on how San Antonio can become more competitive in AI, quantum tech, biotech and space manufacturing. The group includes leaders from organizations like Port San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute and Texas Biomedical Research Institute, which anchor the region's engineering, space and bioscience work. Mayor Jones framed the upcoming Taiwan trip in blunt terms: 'You can't talk about the future of advanced manufacturing without talking about Taiwan.'

• Mayor Jones plans to travel to Taiwan in mid-March with Councilwoman Misty Spears and several advisory group members.
• The Economic Security Advisory Group is expected to meet quarterly.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Economic Security Advisory Group's first quarterly meetings and the mayor's trip to Taiwan in March will offer an early look at whether the city's strategy translates into concrete leads, partnerships and local jobs.