Hispanic chamber is relocating its HQ

Port San Antonio will be a partner in CORE4 STEM program for kids

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is moving its headquarters to Port San Antonio, the former Kelly Air Force Base on the Southwest Side that’s now home to over 80 companies, military agencies and nonprofits.

The chamber temporarily moved from the Pearl to the Bexar County Public Works building at 1948 Probandt St. earlier this year. It plans to relocate to 3006 General Hudnell Drive at the port in February.

The port also will be a partner in the chamber’s CORE4 STEM program, an expo for middle school students that highlights opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

“We are thrilled about this partnership with our members at the port, who are at the forefront of so many innovative initiatives in San Antonio,” said chamber president and CEO Marina Gonzales. “We look forward to building upon this foundation to expand our advocacy efforts and continue to lead as the small business champion for our community as the oldest and largest Hispanic chamber in the country.” The chamber was originally chartered in 1929 as the Mexican Chamber of Commerce and advocates for Hispanic business owners and employees. It has 900 members.

Tenants at the 1,900-acre port campus include manufacturing, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology companies such as Plus One Robotics.

The port is developing a 130,000-square-foot facility with

an arena, classrooms, technology labs and the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology.

“Our histories trace back to early in the last century — when the port began as the former Kelly Air Force Base and the Hispanic chamber was first established,” said port board chair Chris Alderete. “Now we are both leading the way in working across the community to chart an exciting course for the century ahead.”