On January 24, 2017, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorsed the 2017-2022 Bond Program to pay for critical investments to our city’s streets, drainage, parks and infrastructure. Over the past three months, five Community Bond Committees met with two co-chairs and three committee members appointed by the Mayor to finalize and approve project recommendations. The North SA Chamber Board of Directors was able to hear detailed information from two of the appointed tri-chairs at the January board meeting and soon after unanimously approved their support.
 
The North SA Chamber applauds the program’s strategy of building on the successes of past bond programs and investing in projects that create city-wide impact. With the consideration of 350 resident comments and more than 1,400 residents in attendance during the public comment period, we feel that the program has built their projects with our community in mind.
 
Within the $850 million total investment is $450 million towards improving projects on San Antonio streets, bridges and sidewalks and $144 million towards improving projects in drainage and flood control. Since its’ inception in 1974, the North SA Chamber has voiced their support for transportation funding and infrastructure improvements at the local, state and national level. In addition to these projects the Bond Program will cover $116 million in parks and recreation, $120 million in facility improvements, and $20 million in neighborhood improvements.
 
“The North SA Chamber prides itself in giving its’ members a voice for their business. We were impressed with the accessibility of information on the Bond Program’s proposed projects and we feel that the citizen committees and appointed committee members and co-chairs put our community’s best interests in mind,” says Phyllis Gallay, Chairman of the Board. The North SA Chamber will encourage members to visit the One SA (www.onesa2017.com) website to learn about how these projects will impact their neighborhoods and businesses and we look forward to showing our support on the May 2017 ballot.
 
The North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has a long history as an advocate for business-friendly initiatives and legislation, as well as infrastructure improvements that contribute to better quality of life. For more information on the North SA Chamber, please visit www.northsachamber.com
 
Phyllis Gallay is the 2017 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and a director at Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD)