San Antonio ranks third in Metro positivity across North America

Friday, March 1, 2024

Residents of San Antonio exhibit a high level of contentment with their living environment, a sentiment that is mirrored in their job satisfaction, as revealed by a recent “Metro Positivity” study featured in a whitepaper released by the greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership. Ranking third among the 41 largest metropolitan areas in North America, San Antonio surpassed notable cities such as Denver, Toronto, Seattle, and New York in the 2023 study. This research was performed by a corporate consulting firm, which assessed job satisfaction by comparing the experiences of San Antonio employees with those of their counterparts in other metropolitan areas, working for the same companies. Utilizing data from the global employer review platform Glassdoor, the study examined reviews related to corporate culture and values posted from 2018 to 2023 for 575 large companies across the major metro areas in the U.S. and Canada, leading to the creation of a “metro positivity score” for each city. This score illustrates the influence of the metropolitan area on factors like employee satisfaction, engagement, retention, and more.

“We knew San Antonians liked living and working here, but it’s nice to see proof of just how satisfied they are,” said Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and chief executive officer of greater:SATX, the regional economic development organization for San Antonio. “San Antonio offers residents an unmatched mix of culture, career opportunities, amenities, lifestyle, affordability, and diversity – and now, positivity – which helps explain why we’re one of the fastest-growing metros in the country.”

The findings are part of a new whitepaper by greater:SATX, which outlines how the economic development organization, along with its partners in the corporate sector, regional economic development, and the public sector, have implemented strategies to make the region appealing to both employers and employees. The whitepaper is co-authored by Saucedo-Herrera and three influential regional corporate leaders who are also greater:SATX investors: Craig Boyan, President of H-E-B; Rosa Santana, Founder and CEO of Santana Group; and Phil Green, Chairman and CEO of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Highlighted within the whitepaper are several key strategies:

• Encouraging Teamwork and Cooperation: Local officials showcased this approach by creating a task force during the Covid-19 pandemic to address the needs of the community and, subsequently, by effectively coordinating to establish direct flights to European destinations. This initiative notably led to the introduction of San Antonio’s inaugural nonstop transatlantic service to Frankfurt via Condor Airlines.

• Applying Dual Lens Decision-Making: Encouraging businesses and professionals to not just relocate but to become integral parts of the community, thereby enhancing the quality of life for everyone. The achievements of companies like Toyota and Victory Capital serve as evidence of the effectiveness of this approach.

• Implementing the Talent Pipeline Management® Framework: Adopting a comprehensive workforce strategy from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, greater:SATX is the first to apply this across five key sectors: advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, cybersecurity/technology, and construction/skilled trades. This ensures the development of a talented, sustainable workforce to support significant regional growth.

• Utilizing Consumer Brand Strategies: Competing for talent and business against numerous other metropolitan areas, greater:SATX utilizes consumer branding techniques through its Life Works Greater in San Antonio℠ campaign to promote the region’s benefits and attract businesses and individuals.

“Every professional and business that relocates here and all who stay here have the option of choosing elsewhere. greater:SATX is committed to keeping San Antonio the destination of choice to live, work, and build a business,” said Saucedo-Herrera.

In other recent achievements, San Antonio was featured on the “Top 10 U.S. Markets to Watch List,” securing the No. 8 spot according to the Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers 2024 “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” Report. Furthermore, JCB, the largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment globally, announced its second and largest North American manufacturing facility will be established in San Antonio. This represents the most significant economic development in the region in two decades, expected to generate a $30 billion economic impact over the next 10 years and create over 1,500 jobs.

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