Your Chamber’s Aerospace Committee was proud to host Joe Magruder from the Aerospace and Aviation team within the Office of the Governor. Joe provided the committee with an update on what Texas currently offers business relocating to the state. The focus of the meeting was a discussion of the incentives offered and needed for companies already in Texas and San Antonio that are seeking to grow and expand in our community. Several current options are available to San Antonio companies, including the Texas Enterprise Fund and several exemptions.
Committee members described efforts within the Alamo City to increase the amount of space-related contracts and the amount of space-related business in the city. They also voiced concern about the barriers being raised on companies like SpaceX and discussed ideas on how to keep them in Texas. Joe provided an update on Chapter 313, emphasizing that where it stands now, since Chapter 313 will end in December 2022. There may be efforts to revise the legislation that failed in last year’s State Legislature, but there is nothing official from the Governor’s Office yet. Finally, Joe talked about the Governor’s advisory panel on aerospace and the current efforts to expand the membership and representation of the panel. There was discussion regarding adding some San Antonio representation to the panel, and your Chamber will monitor the results of this suggestion closely.