Innovation, USA

European company's new South Side headquarters ushers 1,400 jobs into San Antonio

The company said it will hire locally.

Photo by SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images

The Spurs weren't the only thing in San Antonio scoring big on Monday. In an October 22 press conference, the Office of the Texas Governor announced that San Antonio is now the U.S. headquarters for OKIN BPS, a Czech Republic-based company that specializes in business processes and services for the technology sector

“After a two-year site selection journey, we are delighted to announce that our U.S. headquarters will be located in San Antonio, Texas. We attribute our success as a firm to the passion, ingenuity, and courage of the people we hire," said Dan Smith, president and CEO of OKIN BPS, in a release. "We have determined that Texas, in particular, San Antonio, shares OKIN’s values with which we will together usher in continued growth."

The San Antonio office, the company's first in the U.S., brings with it more than 1,400 local jobs as well as $23 million in capital investment, according to a release.

In an interview the Associated Press, Michal Jelínek, majority owner of Okin said most of those high-paying jobs will be sourced locally. "Don't worry, I'm only flying two or three people from the Czech Republic," Jelínek told AP. "Our business is going to be very local."

Both the city and the state lobbied hard to bring OKIN BPS to Texas, including giving the corporation $6.6 million in the form of a Texas Enterprise Grant. (Texas' tax incentives likely didn't hurt either.)

Of course, for local city leaders, there is no discounting the work done by the City of San Antonio to secure the European company. “OKIN BPS choosing San Antonio as its U.S. headquarters is a testament to our city’s globally competitive future," said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "We are building the right infrastructure, business friendly environment, and workforce that is attracting investment from the world’s most sought-after companies."

Once in Alamo City, the 14-year-old company will house its offices in Brooks, the former U.S. Air force base turned mixed-use development in San Antonio's South Side. The company will refurbish two buildings on the former base before transitioning to a permanent site, according to a release.

technology

Ready for Harvest

New farmers market and yoga classes stretch into St. Paul Square

Photo courtesy of St. Paul Square

St. Paul Square is historic, but keeping up with the times.

San Antonians have a fresh way to pick up groceries and artisan goods at St. Paul Square with the addition of a new farmers market. It will be free to attend in the central courtyard every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Shoppers will be able to browse produce, handcrafted goods, and ready-to-eat treats by farmers, bakers, and artisans, according to a release. Suppliers will come from San Antonio and other places in South Texas.

This recurring event is just called the St. Paul Square Farmers Market. It's attributed directly to St. Paul Square, which is not just a neighborhood destination but an organization developing the historic district. Part of the purpose of the new programming is to support local businesses, as well as drawing in visitors.

The area was founded in 1778, and now includes all kinds of modern and retro attractions like the popular Francis Bogside bar, several eateries, 1902 Nightclub, and live music venue The Espee.

Donation-based yoga classes on Sundays from 9-11 am give even more to to do at The Espee's courtyard (1174 E. Commerce St.). They'll be led by Bendy with Lenny, and guests joining in will get to choose between a gentler slow flow in the earlier slot, and a higher energy class in the later slots.

“Our team is excited to introduce a series of new programs this winter aimed at enriching and uplifting our local community," said St. Paul Square managing partnerDon Thomas in the release. "We invite residents from across San Antonio to join us at St. Paul Square this Sunday to kick off the series and enjoy supporting local businesses as we enter the holiday season.”

The debut St. Paul Square Farmers Market takes place November 17 at17 Heiman Street.

openings farmers market groceries artisans