ABOUT US
Southside First is a non-profit organization that promotes economic development across south San Antonio and Bexar County by providing resources and support to encourage business development, foster growth and develop resilience.
- Mission & Vision
Southside First’s mission is to encourage, energize, and elevate entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Southside to achieve sustainability and growth. We do this through workshops, events, resources, advising services, and strategic partnerships that provide equal access to economic opportunities and cultural and community enrichment.
La misión de Southside First es incentivar, motivar y elevar a emprendedores y propietarios de pequeñas empresas en el sur de San Antonio para que puedan lograr crecimiento y sostenibilidad. Lo hacemos mediante la organización de talleres y eventos, y ofreciendo recursos, consultoría y alianzas estratégicas que faciliten la igualdad de acceso a oportunidades económicas y el enriquecimiento cultural en la comunidad.
Listen to Rosanna's and Elizabeth's interview talking about who we are and what we do!
Watch the testimonials from our business community:
Elena Moreno
Angelic Monuments
Brenza Anz
Saving Our Way
Lydia Clemente
We 5 Maidens Handcrafted Soaps
Regina Navarro
Nick's Tacos
- History
The Southside First Economic Development Council was established in 2017. Southside First evolved as an initiative of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Foundation and is designed to promote economic development and community leadership on San Antonio’s South Side.
Today, Southside First focuses on creating an economic development strategy to improve the economic, educational, and social opportunities for businesses and residents in South San Antonio/Bexar County. This region is defined as the area south of U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 87.
In 2019, with support from the City of San Antonio, Southside First launched a pilot neighborhood program focusing on two Southside neighborhoods: Mission San Jose and the Quintana community.
The Southside First Economic Development Council successfully completed in-person surveys of the Quintana Community and of the Mission San Jose neighborhood residents and small business owners through a partnership with St. Mary’s Harvey Najim Center for Business Innovation and Social Responsibility. The surveys are the foundation for the Southside First Neighborhood Program and for the signature series ¡Echale Gas! Small Business Training Workshops which aims to provide Southside residents with options for creating their own small business or expanding their current business. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southside First strategically shifted its focus to be responsive to the challenges of over 7,000 small businesses who operate in the Southside of San Antonio and Bexar County.
- Board of Directors
Joe Peña
Market President, Frost Bank
Rob Rodriguez
Broker & Managing Partner, Verde Commercial Real Estate
Cindy Taylor
Executive Director, Hot Wells Conservancy
ANA BRADSHAW
Assistant Director, City of San Antonio Economic Development Department
Andy Castillo
Designer 3, Ford Powell & Carson Inc.; President, Quintana Community Neighborhood Association
Crystal Darby
Senior Business Advisor,
UTSA Small Business Development Center
Mark Tolley
Principal, Mission DG
Danielle Espinoza
CEO, LUSTROUS PR
Sara Briseño Gerrish
REALTOR® and Broker Associate, RE/MAX Unlimited. South Texas Business Partnership, Chair-Elect.
- Staff
Gabriela Cadena
RAFA JUAREZ
ROSANNA CASTORENO
ROLANDO RODRIGUEZ
Elizabeth Nava
BRIANNA ANZALDUA
