San Antonio Misses Its Small Business Goals — River Walk Entrepreneurs Left Behind
City performance data shows San Antonio’s small business support hours dropped 30% from 2019 to 2022. What does that mean for the River Walk economy?
San Antonio Misses Its Small Business Goals — River Walk Entrepreneurs Left Behind
By River Walk Magazine Staff | June 30, 2025
Over the past decade, San Antonio has pledged to champion small business growth as the heart of its economic engine. But city data paints a more complicated picture—especially for businesses along the River Walk.
In 2018, the City of San Antonio had 15 staff positions dedicated to small business support. That number has remained flat through 2023, even as new business registrations surged post-COVID.
The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program—a key outreach initiative—recorded 2,561 support hours in 2019, but that dropped to just 1,801 hours in 2022. The city’s own goal for 2022 was 2,500 hours, revealing a shortfall of over 28%.
“It’s not just about hours; it’s about priorities,” said a River Walk restaurateur who waited three months for a response from a city-funded consultant.
The city also committed to maintaining five dedicated positions for global economic development—an effort to bring trade and tourism into the downtown core. Yet staffing dipped as low as three positions in some years, casting doubt on follow-through and funding priorities.
While officials tout international partnerships and expansion plans, this same data reveals that core support services have eroded—particularly for existing businesses that form the economic backbone of the River Walk.
Next Steps for City Leadership
- Address staffing and training gaps in the Small Business Office
- Recommit to performance goals set in the city’s own economic development plan
- Increase budget transparency and track ARPA funding usage
In an era when “shop local” is a rallying cry, San Antonio’s leadership must back that slogan with real support. Otherwise, local gems along the River Walk may vanish—one unmet goal at a time.
📊 Source & Data Transparency
Source:
City of San Antonio — Performance Metrics Outcomes Dataset (2025).
