Local group South Austin Business Association is entering its "political season," President Ken Vargas said.

"When we started in South Austin on south Manchaca Road, we felt like there was no voice, so part of our mission is to be a voice for South Austin business owners when it comes to dealing with our elected officials," he said.

SABA launched in 2009 as a group of South Austin-based merchants who were concerned about how the widening of Manchaca Road might affect business, Vargas said. Today, the group hosts a variety of civic, nonprofit and business development speakers at weekly meetings in addition to membership luncheons and social events.

"We would like to be a chamber of commerce for South Austin," he said.

Vice President Programs Marc Lippincott said the group will be hosting a few politically-oriented speakers during the months leading up to November elections.

"With the new redistricting, it's becoming important for geographically located groups to speak to the council member that's going to represent just that region. As an organization that is south of the river, [SABA presents] a pretty good opportunity for them to not only just speak to individuals, but individuals who also run businesses in South Austin," he said.

Upcoming speakers will include City Councilmen Chris Riley and Mike Martinez, Lippincott said.

Vargas said the group is not partisan but does aim to lessen burdens on the local business community.

"When the city decides on a new ordinance, we need to ask, 'How will that impact people just trying to do business?'" he said.

SABA meets on Wednesdays from 8–9:30 a.m. at Casa Garcias on William Cannon Drive. More information is available at www.southaustinbusiness.org.