UTSA Institute for Economic Development contributed $2 billion to the region throughout its history

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UTSA Associate Vice President Robert McKinley is credited for his leadership over the Institute for Economic Development.

Thomas Tunstall

Guest Contributor- San Antonio Business Journal

Last month, the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development (IED) celebrated 35 years of work in South, Central and West Texas. The institute actually houses 11 programs that provide important economic development assistance throughout Texas and internationally, and creates significant economic impact. The numbers are an impressive: $2 billion of direct impacts, combining loans totaling over $350 million, plus $1.65 billion increased sales/contracts/exports. That is a 25 percent jump from just last year's record of $1.6 billion.

The 35th anniversary was celebrated with a weeklong set of events that kicked off with an introduction by UTSA President Ricardo Romo, followed by a host of dignitaries that included U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Pedro Garza with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Omar Garcia with the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable, and many others. UTSA Vice President for Community Outreach, Dr. Jude Valdez was honored with the IED Founder Award and President Romo received the IED Champion Award.

The IED programs cover a broad spectrum of economic development activities. For example, the Eagle Ford Shale Community Development program works with community leaders that have seen impact from unconventional oil and gas production. The program's goals are to assist with the implementation of strategically sequenced economic development that takes into account the unique challenges facing cities and counties in the region.

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