At the June 4 Rotary Club of San Antonio luncheon, outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivered a powerful and heartfelt address reflecting on his eight years of service and the city’s transformational progress. With less than two weeks remaining in his tenure, the mayor shared both personal gratitude and a vision for continued community advancement.
Mayor Nirenberg highlighted San Antonio’s major economic strides, including expansions by global companies like Toyota, Boeing, and JCB, and the $2.5 billion redevelopment of the airport slated for completion in 2028. He noted that San Antonio is now poised to become the sixth most populous city in the U.S., with job growth forecasted to lead the state.
Yet, the mayor’s focus remained on people, not just progress. Reflecting on the challenges brought into sharp relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized the city’s response—reallocating nearly $2 billion to workforce development, early childhood education, affordable housing, and public transit, all without raising taxes. The centerpiece of that response: the Ready to Work program.
Ready to Work has enrolled over 11,600 San Antonians in job training programs, helped 3,500 complete certifications, and placed more than 2,200 into better-paying jobs—with an average increase in income of $62 million per year across participants. Citing a projected $13.1 billion economic impact over the careers of participants, Mayor Nirenberg told stories of transformation, including that of Sage Garza, a food bank recipient who became a truck driver for the food bank through the program that first reached him in line.
The mayor also encouraged continued investment in education, particularly post-secondary credentials, citing efforts like Alamo Promise and the city’s first affordable housing bond. In response to questions, he acknowledged the importance of making San Antonio an attractive, livable city for young professionals, and committed to continued quality-of-life investments and transportation improvements.
Though stepping away from public office, Mayor Nirenberg affirmed his ongoing commitment to the community, soon taking on a role at Trinity University to mentor the next generation of civic leaders. He closed by praising the spirit of San Antonians and urging continued belief in the city’s shared potential.
“To build the strongest cities in America, you have to bet big on your people. We’re proving that here in San Antonio.”
The Rotary Club of San Antonio presented Mayor Nirenberg with an engraved version of the Four-Way Test, honoring his years of service and his enduring dedication to the community.
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