In a move aimed at bolstering support for small businesses in San Antonio, $1.5 million in federal pandemic relief aid is set to flow to local nonprofits. Despite delays in receiving city general fund dollars allocated in this year’s budget, nonprofits like Prosper West, Southside First Economic Development Council, and San Antonio for Growth on the East Side (SAGE) will now be reimbursed for operational expenses. These organizations have been pivotal in aiding small businesses, particularly those in historically disadvantaged areas, navigating challenges like the pandemic, inflation, and construction disruptions.
Additionally, three other local nonprofits—Maestro Entrepreneur Center, Culturingua, and American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions—will also receive funding for the first time to support economic development efforts. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen San Antonio’s small business ecosystem through collaboration and support from the BDO Alliance, a networking group dedicated to enhancing local economic development initiatives.
While the funding is derived from the city’s remaining federal relief funds, oversight and development responsibilities will be managed by a local chapter of a national nonprofit. This infusion of financial support aims to provide critical assistance to small businesses, foster community resilience, and promote economic recovery across the city.
