KLUP 1/14/2008 San Antonio Economic Development

Local Trade Group wants to tackle some tough issues in 2008. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with Today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writer Mike Thomas reported that Foreign investments in San Antonio declined in 2007 compared to the last couple of years, according to the city's Economic Development Foundation, but the overall prospects for foreign trade are looking up as the as the Free Trade Alliance pushes ahead with an ambitious agenda for this year. Kyle Burns, President and CEO, Free Trade Alliance of San Antonio, wants to expand foreign investmens in the Alamo City in 2008. Mario Hernandez, President, San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, noted that some decline in foreign investment was to be expected after the completion of phase one of the Toyota Manufacturing Plant. Hernadzez notes that his office is working on 104 prospects for job creation investments and eight of them are internationally based. In years past, the number of internationally based companies that were looking at investing in the Alamo City were more than that number. Toyota is likely to announce another phase for its manufacturing plant but until that happens the city is looking to the Free Trade Alliance to pursue the initiaive. For San Antonio area homes and real estate, call John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty. www.HeartofTexasRealty.com