KSAT gets inside look at new $70M Tech Port Center and Arena on SW Side
The Southwest Side will soon be home to an innovation center and arena that is already attracting major shows and entertainment. On Friday, KSAT 12 got a construction tour at the new Tech Port Center and Arena at Port San Antonio.
City, CPS Energy to collaborate against cyberattacks at new regional center
Through the new Alamo Regional Security Operations Center at Port San Antonio, city officials say they can collaborate closely with CPS Energy -- and possibly soon other local organizations -- to help each other better protect against cyberattacks.
City Council shifts bond money to fund drainage, streets; several members want further cuts to trail system
San Antonio City Council members agreed Wednesday to tweak the city’s upcoming $1.2 billion bond program to send more money to basic infrastructure needs, though nearly half the council members still don’t think it’s enough.
Watch: Gov. Greg Abbott in San Antonio gives update on restoring water, power to Texas
Greg Abbott is in Port San Antonio Sunday to update on the state's response in restoring water and resources to Texans following a massive winter storm and ensuing emergency. Most San Antonians have had their power and water restored, however a boil water notice is still in effect for many areas of Bexar County.
mysanantonio.comTexas governor arrives in San Antonio with crates of water flown in as part of winter storm relief efforts
SAN ANTONIO – Governor Greg Abbott came to Port San Antonio on Sunday to provide an update on state recovery efforts, but he didn’t show up empty-handed. Water flown into San Antonio for winter storm relief. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 12 Governor Abbott comes to San Antonio to give an update on the state's winter storm recovery efforts. In San Antonio, power has been restored to nearly all households, and 98% have had their water restored, as of Sunday morning, according to SAWS. RELATED: Texas governor asks President Joe Biden for major disaster declaration for winter storm
Alabama chosen for US Space Command HQ over San Antonio, reports say
SAN ANTONIO – Multiple news outlets in Alabama are reporting that Redstone Army Airfield near Huntsville, Alabama, has been chosen as the site for the U.S. Space Command headquarters. Port San Antonio had been on the shortlist along with Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Senator John Cornyn sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett in support of selecting San Antonio for U.S. Space Command’s future headquarters. “San Antonio was honored to be among the finalists for the U.S. Space Command headquarters. The process enabled us to highlight our many assets and attributes including our cybersecurity, medical and training missions as well as Port San Antonio,” Nirenberg said in a statement to KSAT.
Gov. Greg Abbott tweets his support for Space Command headquarters in San Antonio
Matthew Busch, Contributor / For The San Antonio Express-NewsGov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday took to Twitter to once again declare his support for San Antonio as Pentagon leaders move closer to selecting the location of the U.S. Space Command. In November, the U.S. Air Force placed San Antonio on the short list of six possible sites for the potential headquarters. If selected, Port San Antonio, formerly Kelly Air Force Base, would house the command center. The site selection team visited San Antonio earlier this month followed by a virtual meeting with Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
mysanantonio.comLeading SA: What’s next for Port San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – Despite all of the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, San Antonio’s economy is continuing to grow. And, a vital part of this growth is Port San Antonio. Port San Antonio has over 80 tenant customers who employ more than 14,000 people, generating over $5 billion in annual economic activity in the Alamo City. Jim Perschbach, president and CEO of Port San Antonio, joined Leading SA Sunday to discuss what is on the horizon for Port San Antonio as we near the new year. RELATED: Texas Sen. John Cornyn announced San Antonio a finalist for Space Command headquarters
No Santa, no gift wrap, but Elf Louise still delivering Christmas joy
SAN ANTONIO – Not a creature is stirring inside the cavernous warehouse turned Elf Louise workshop. “Never even crossed my mind,” said Bill Harrison, executive director for 30 years at the Elf Louise Christmas Project. Now gearing up for year 52, Elf Louise is seeing big demand. Not even a pandemic can stop Elf Louise from delivery Christmas joy, but there will be some changes. “We are giving out love and understanding and joyful approach to Christmas,” Harrison said.
New paint removing laser system revolutionary in efficiency and safety
SAN ANTONIO – Port San Antonio is one of the technology hubs of the Alamo City and it already contributes more than $5 billion to the Texas economy, while creating tens of thousands of jobs. The laser is integral for the industry and it is revolutionary in its efficiency and safety. "The business value of removing paint by the system is high. XYREC chose San Antonio and Port SA because of the company’s partnership with the Southwest Research Institute and Port SA’s growing tech field. But using these back areas, these hidden areas, you’re going to see an awful lot of this type of groundbreaking research going on,” Perschbach said.
Port San Antonio Board approves $60 million innovation center
The Board of Directors for the Port San Antonio announced Thursday the approval of $60 million for a innovation center. According to a press release, the innovation center will feature 130,000 square feet of building, and have competitors and spectators of major esports events, students and families participating in entertainment, cultural and learning experiences and a showcase for technological innovations made by the industries top dogs. New tech training hub at Port San Antonio will provide resources for job huntersThe center will be funded through a commercial loan, which the Port will repay through multiple revenue streams generated by partnerships. The Board of Directors also directed that profits from the innovation center will help out technology-focused K-12, college-level and professional programs for development. Click here for more information about this project.
Startup at Port SA developing sorting robots that help FedEx
SAN ANTONIO Port San Antonio is the technology hub of the Alamo City and it is seemingly growing by the day and the companies on the campus are growing as well. Now, Plus One Robotics, a local startup at Port SA, is becoming an instrumental part of the world-wide delivery service. Port San Antonio is a hidden technological and economic gem of San Antonio and of Texas. Well, Austins doing a lot of great things, but in San Antonio, were doing some things that are even more impressive. You see what Plus One Robotics is doing with artificial intelligence, supervised autonomy and sensors, technology on robots.
New tech training hub at Port San Antonio will provide resources for job hunters
SAN ANTONIO During the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of people here in San Antonio have lost their jobs. In an effort to help locals with employment, Port San Antonio has created a new tech training hub that will provide a variety of educational and economic development activities. The San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) will launch the facility within weeks at the Port SA campus, according to a news release. Workforce Solutions Alamo, the Bexar County Strong Workforce Program, Alamo Colleges, Project Quest and SA Works are among the organizations that will provide services. Read also: San Antonio Works jobs report focuses on helping those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic
JBSA air show canceled due to COVID-19 concerns
SAN ANTONIO – The Joint Base San Antonio Air Show that was scheduled for November has been canceled due to COVID-19. Gen. Caroline Miller, commander, JBSA and 502d Air Base Wing. The next air show is scheduled for April 23-24, 2022, at JBSA-Randolph, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. This is the second big event in San Antonio that was scheduled for November and had to be canceled. The 11-day citywide bash, Fiesta, which had already been postponed in April, was canceled last week due to coronavirus concerns.
UTSA students, Intertek collaborate in developing new system to test exhaust emissions
SAN ANTONIO Port San Antonio is home to several game-changing companies and one of them, Intertek, is currently utilizing a team of University of Texas at San Antonio students to stay at the forefront of their industry. Now, a team of University of Texas at San Antonio students, is helping in that endeavor. Raj Patel is a member of the The R2D2 Visionaries team, a group of UTSA students who helped develop a new system of testing exhaust emissions. UTSA emissions testing image 2. With the new system referred to as a bench, the sampling methods show tangible evidence of the final measurement much faster.
San Antonio Company Could Change How Coronavirus Patients Are Transported
A San Antonio company is working to revolutionize the way patients are evacuated and handled during natural disasters and epidemics like the novel coronavirus. The unit is under construction at Port San Antonio and set for potential use later this year. In light of the novel coronavirus this year, inquiries have increased for this module, with Knight Aerospace talking with 30 potential private clients. Weve had the CDC bring teams to San Antonio to visit us and weve gone to visit with them, Rhodes said. A mocked-up intubated patient is shown on a stretcher that is mounted in the concept Universal Patient Module.
therivardreport.comDiversion of Defense Money for Border Wall Jeopardizing Jobs at Port San Antonio, Congressman Warns
A similar reallocation of defense funds last year killed an $18.5 million construction project at San Antonio's Camp Bullis.Mexico is not paying for his wasteful wall, as Trump repeatedly campaigned," said Doggett, a Democrat who represents San Antonio and Austin. What a disappointing wall of indifference to our national security.Were keeping you informed...and its what we love to do. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.
sacurrent.comSt. Marys Powers Up Esports Program as Arena Nears Completion
At St. Marys, the e-athletes that make the team will compete in an 864-square-foot arena in St. Marys University Center, which serves as a hub for students. St. Marys e-athletes will compete online against students from other universities and colleges in four or five different arcade-style video games. St. Marys officials plan to hire a head coach and an assistant coach by the end of February. Deliberate discussions about creating an esports program at St. Marys started about six months ago, Coleman said. The decision to include an esports arena in the innovation center was influenced by clear growth in San Antonios esports scene, Port San Antonio CEO Jim Perschbach said.
therivardreport.comPlus One Unveils New Robotics Lab at Port San Antonio
A growing San Antonio startup unveiled a 10,000-square-foot robotics lab at Port San Antonio on Wednesday. Erik Nieves, CEO and co-founder of Plus One Robotics, said the new facility gives the company improved capabilities to test its robotic software and develop more commercial products. He touted, instead, Plus Ones early capabilities of using 3D camera-equipped robotics and mechanical limbs that can pick up small items on a conveyor belt. The company formally moved to its new facility at Port San Antonio in August. Founded in 2016, the company moved its operations to Port San Antonio in 2018 before opening its new facility.
therivardreport.comLackland Ushers in New Cyber Warfare Era with Activation of 16th Air Force
The 24th and 25th Air Forces have been deactivated and folded into a new Numbered Air Force command known as the 16th Air Force, which will make information warfare its mission. Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 25th Air Force, has taken the reins of the 16th Air Force and been promoted from a two-star to a three-star general in the process. Air Forces Cyber has played a role in connecting cyber warfare with other domains, including land, sea, air, and space. He will lead about 32,000 military and civilian Air Force members assigned to the 16th Air Force. The time has come to strengthen our Air Forces information warfare capabilities, Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, said at a ceremony last week as the new Air Force unit was activated.
therivardreport.comTECH SA: How Port San Antonio continues to bring jobs to San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO - In the last 18 months, more than 2,000 jobs have been created at Port San Antonio focused around cybersecurity, aerospace and applied technology. Port SA which was created after the closure of Kelly Air Force Base has become a central hub for the Texas tech scene. Because we have the talent and the capabilities and the companies that can make them even more successful," said Jim Perschbach, president & CEO of Port San Antonio. Port San Antonio said its facility is home to over 80 public and private sector employers. "We're right next to the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, which is one of our key customers next to 24th Air Force, Air Force Cyber, 25th Air Force and the intel community partners that are in and around the port," Hathaway said.
$14M project set to begin along Quintana Road this month
SAN ANTONIO - Road improvements for drivers who use Quintana Road near Port San Antonio will begin in a few weeks. Trucks headed into the port, waiting to turn, block the four-lane road. The improvements from Harmon Drive to McKenna Avenue will be focused on Dunton Street. There will be dedicated left and right turn lanes at Dunton Street from both sides of Quintana Road. The project was paid for and led by Port SA, but it is being overseen by the city of San Antonio.
San Antonio voters following redistricting hearings closely
SAN ANTONIO - Hundreds of San Antonio-area voters attended a redistricting hearing at Port San Antonio on Thursday. This was the second field redistricting hearing by the House of Representatives. About 28 field hearings are set to take place before the 2021 redistricting process. The goal is to solicit public input to draw the redistricting maps, a process that takes place every 10 years. Past legal battles over discrimination concerns about how those boundaries are drawn that would undermine minorities voters have made the hearings very closely watched and attended.
$24M project set to begin along Quintana Road this month
SAN ANTONIO - Road improvements for drivers who use Quintana Road near Port San Antonio will begin in a few weeks. Trucks headed into the port, waiting to turn, block the four-lane road. The improvements from Harmon Drive to McKenna Avenue will be focused on Dunton Street. There will be dedicated left and right turn lanes at Dunton Street from both sides of Quintana Road. The project was paid for and led by Port SA, but it is being overseen by the city of San Antonio.
City Council approves $8.9 million construction contract for Quintana Road project
SAN ANTONIO - A multimillion-dollar road improvement construction contract was awarded for the Quintana Road project. City Council unanimously agreed the $9.8 million contract would go to SpawGlass Civil Construction. The reconstruction work on Quintana Road will happen along the East Kelly Port property and St. Phillips College's southwest campus. The goal is to make the area safer and more accessible to students, workers, customers and residents in the area. The Texas Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Port San Antonio, the San Antonio Water System and CPS Energy are all contributing funds for the project.