Port San Antonio

The Port Authority of San Antonio (doing business as Port San Antonio) is a public entity created to redevelop the site of the former Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The site's 1,900-acre (7.7 square kilometer) campus is the single-largest commercial/industrial property in Bexar County. Several public- and private-sector tenant customers lease former Air Force and newly-built facilities from the Port. The Port’s customers are principally engaged in aerospace/aircraft maintenance and completion (for both military and commercial/private aircraft), Department of Defense, logistics and manufacturing activities.

The Port is regarded as a notable example of base redevelopment, and in 2010 it was named Base Redevelopment Community of the Year by the Association of Defense Communities—a Washington, D.C.- based group that supports the transition of former military facilities to serve other public and commercial uses.

The closure of Kelly resulted from the U.S. Department of Defense’s 1995 Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) initiative. The base, which was first established in 1917 as Kelly Field, formally closed in August 2001.

As realignment and closure of the Kelly assets began to occur between 1995 and 2001, the Greater Kelly Development Authority (GKDA) was created as a base development authority in accordance with Chapter 379B of the Texas Local Government Code.

Rebranded as Port San Antonio in 2007, it is a political subdivision of the state of Texas. Its 11-member of board directors is appointed by each member of the San Antonio City Council. Roland Mower, Port San Antonio's President and CEO since October 2014, oversees day-to-day activities.

Though created by government, the Port is operationally independent. It has no taxing authority nor does it receive operational funds from any governmental entity. Its income of approximately $40 million annually is obtained through various real estate activities—including leasing, property management and construction management within its footprint. Annual profits are re-invested to support further redevelopment and related economic development activities.

The Port has leveraged its large campus - a multi-modal logistics platform - and 10 million square feet of commercial/industrial facilities to attract over 70 public- and private-sector employers. These tenant customers directly employ 12,000 workers and generate an economic impact of over $5 billion annually, according to a 2016 study by the Texas Comptroller's Office. Additionally, the aerospace companies located at Port San Antonio generate $1.5 billion in economic activity annually.

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