How cultivating local plants can help San Antonio residents save water
Esteban Jimenez, CEO of San Antonio-based landscaping company XeriPro, said that unlike traditional landscaping, xeriscaping creates landscapes designed around native plants that existed in the region prior to human settlement.
Xeriscaping, or the use of local flora, not only saves money and reduces water-useage, but it also cultivates a landscape that can thrive in the midst of extreme heat.
Jimenez said a common misconception is that xeriscaping always means a yard that’s bare and made up of only rocks and cacti. Instead, he said a xeriscaped yard with South Texas plants is usually green and lush.
Read more by Reporter Parks Kugle.
Hollywood Park to contract new towing service
On June 17, Hollywood Park City Council voted to authorize Mayor Chester Drash and city staff to negotiate and execute a contract with Texas Towing, which will handle towing services for the city.
City officials said the decision to go with Texas Towing was due to the robustness of their service. Prior to choosing Texas Towing, the Hollywood Park Police Department advertised that the city was accepting requests for proposals, or RFPs, in the media, the town hall bulletin and online. The town received RFPs from Cresswell’s Wrecker Service, Johnny’s Wrecker Service and Texas Towing.
According to city officials, the new contract will increase the city’s revenue share and provide no-cost towing for city vehicles up to a certain limit. Texas Towing also has a proven track record with other cities of comparable size, such as Alamo Heights and Shavano Park.
Read more by Reporter Parks Kugle.
Methodist Hospital | Landmark expands ER in North San Antonio
Methodist Hospital | Landmark is expanding its emergency room, which will more than double the number of patients the hospital can treat daily.
Designed as a smaller, efficient hospital that serves the local community, Methodist Hospital | Landmark currently treats around 20 patients a day. With the expansion, hospital officials said the number of patients treated daily is expected to grow to around 40-50 patients.
Hospital officials said the current ER had three rooms, but with this new roughly 37,000-square-feet facility will add an additional six rooms. Each room will have full cardiac and ICU monitoring capabilities and are equipped to administer IV drugs.
Read more by Reporter Parks Kugle.
Bexar County funds startup boot camps
On June 10, the Bexar County Commissioners Court voted to allow county officials to negotiate and award an Economic Development Innovation Grant in the amount of $87,500 to support five startup bootcamp events, which will be free of charge to county residents.
Hosted by Geekdom, the startup bootcamps will provide 54 hours of immersive, hands-on programming covering foundational business skills, such as the lean canvas model, how to give an elevator pitch and how to make a business pitch deck.
According to county documents, the goal of the bootcamps is the formation of 75 new companies in 2025, and equipping local entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and networks necessary to launch and sustain their businesses.
The startup bootcamp is a weekend program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs build a strong foundation for launching their startups. This is accomplished through hands-on learning, expert guidance and mentor support, participants leave with a clear action plan to move their ideas forward.
Read more by Reporter Parks Kugle.
Bexar County funds community development projects
On June 24, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a series of projects from the Bexar County Economic and Community Development Department, ECD, using funds from three U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, grants.
Laura Montanez, the representative for ECD Community Development Director, Robert Reyna, said that based on a review from the department’s scoring committee, the department recommended funding for 14 projects across three different grant programs.
Montanez said the Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, is designed to develop viable urban communities and expand economic opportunities for low-to-moderate income people.
Read more by Reporter Parks Kugle.
