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Toyota to build Tacoma in $3.6B San Antonio expansion

The project adds a second assembly line and 2,000 new jobs.

News

Toyota&#x27;s San Antonio plant will manufacture the popular Tacoma pickup under a $3.6 billion expansion. Why it matters: The 2.5 million-square-foot expansion will double the size of Toyota&#x27;s South Side campus by 2030 and create 2,000 jobs.

San Antonio to reopen e-bike voucher applications

The city received another round of federal funding.

San Antonio will soon open a second application cycle for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric bicycle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/climate" data-vars-content-id="a7e23d24-d1f7-4c23-a047-9382448c7c07" data-vars-headline="San Antonio to reopen e-bike voucher applications" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/climate" target="_self">electric bicycle</a> vouchers thanks to another round of federal funding.Why it matters: The program aims to expand access to affordable, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="low-emission transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/06/18/san-antonio-austin-great-springs-project-trail" data-vars-content-id="a7e23d24-d1f7-4c23-a047-9382448c7c07" data-vars-headline="San Antonio to reopen e-bike voucher applications" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/06/18/san-antonio-austin-great-springs-project-trail" target="_self">low-emission transportation</a> for residents with lower incomes by offering $1,000 vouchers to help purchase an e-bicycle.

CPS Energy offers savings on electric vehicle charging

CPS is offering incentives to save during peak hours.

New CPS Energy programs let customers earn bill credits for charging their electric vehicles at times when there&#x27;s less strain on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/12/texas-power-grid-summer-demand-ercot-forecast" data-vars-content-id="b3d1eedd-3f27-4c12-a045-820f6642f377" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy offers savings on electric vehicle charging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/12/texas-power-grid-summer-demand-ercot-forecast" target="_self">electric grid</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city-owned utility&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/12/san-antonio-cps-energy-natural-gas-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="b3d1eedd-3f27-4c12-a045-820f6642f377" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy offers savings on electric vehicle charging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/12/san-antonio-cps-energy-natural-gas-data-centers" target="_self">city-owned utility&#x27;s</a> way of offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a financial incentive" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/ev-smart-rewards-program/" data-vars-content-id="b3d1eedd-3f27-4c12-a045-820f6642f377" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy offers savings on electric vehicle charging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/ev-smart-rewards-program/" target="_blank">a financial incentive</a> to use less electricity during peak hours.

Spurs playoff run was a windfall for San Antonio bars

Some bars saw sales increases north of 100% this year.

San Antonio bars gained a huge bump in business during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spurs&#x27; playoffs run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/06/01/spurs-okc-wcf-finals-wemby-wembanyama" data-vars-content-id="0b582561-0b03-4a40-bb75-cdd01ca5734f" data-vars-headline="Spurs playoff run was a windfall for San Antonio bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/06/01/spurs-okc-wcf-finals-wemby-wembanyama" target="_self">Spurs&#x27; playoffs run</a>, new data analyzed by Axios shows.Why it matters: Local watering holes always run on tight margins, and many in neighborhoods known for nightlife have struggled amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/08/25/st-marys-strip-road-construction-ending-delays" data-vars-content-id="0b582561-0b03-4a40-bb75-cdd01ca5734f" data-vars-headline="Spurs playoff run was a windfall for San Antonio bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/08/25/st-marys-strip-road-construction-ending-delays" target="_self">city construction</a>.

Spurs begin citywide meetings on downtown arena plans

The Spurs are taking their arena plans citywide.

Sports

Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment (SS&amp;E) is kicking off a series of community meetings next week focused on the team&#x27;s planned new arena and surrounding downtown district.Why it matters: The meetings are among the first opportunities for residents to weigh in since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voters last November approved the venue tax increase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" data-vars-content-id="209cc5ce-89f3-42c7-b8f0-919c37f14f81" data-vars-headline="Spurs begin citywide meetings on downtown arena plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" target="_self">voters last November approved the venue tax increase</a> that will help fund a new downtown Spurs arena.

Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts

The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative.

Business

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" target="_self">restaurants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coffee shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" target="_self">coffee shops</a> aren&#x27;t just selling food and beverages anymore — they&#x27;re building a fanbase.Why it matters: The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative online about reaching customers. The loyalty forged during that period has stuck around and evolved.

How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI

The eatery is leaning on AI amid labor shortages, bucking a broader industry trend of slow adoption.

Food and Drink

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" data-vars-content-id="9fb83d9f-977a-47ab-9a1f-cdb1aa9816d3" data-vars-headline="How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" target="_self">restaurants</a> are starting to embrace artificial intelligence.Why it matters: The restaurant industry is one of the nation&#x27;s largest employers, yet one of the slowest sectors to adopt AI tools, Ben Knorr, Texas Restaurant Association&#x27;s (TRA) vice president of strategic initiatives, tells Axios.

Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio

Consumers are focusing on protein and comfort food.

San Antonio&#x27;s vegan and vegetarian dining scene is faltering in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" target="_self">tough economy</a> and as consumers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="focus on protein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" target="_self">focus on protein</a>, but experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plant-forward dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" target="_self">plant-forward dining</a> isn&#x27;t going anywhere in the long term.Why it matters: Research <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" target="_blank">consistently</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" target="_blank">shows</a> that eating less meat is one of the most impactful personal ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="combat climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" target="_blank">combat climate change</a> and improve health.

How rising restaurant costs are reshaping San Antonio's food scene

Shared kitchens and food trucks are becoming launchpads for chefs.

As restaurant costs rise, shared kitchens, food trucks and community college programs are offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local aspiring chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/10/29/san-antonio-michelin-stars-restaurants-2025" data-vars-content-id="1f7bac82-e47a-4854-8380-ea8acba1e374" data-vars-headline="How rising restaurant costs are reshaping San Antonio&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/10/29/san-antonio-michelin-stars-restaurants-2025" target="_self">local aspiring chefs</a> lower-cost paths into the industry.Why it matters: San Antonio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing culinary reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" data-vars-content-id="1f7bac82-e47a-4854-8380-ea8acba1e374" data-vars-headline="How rising restaurant costs are reshaping San Antonio&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" target="_self">growing culinary reputation</a> is creating opportunity, but rising costs are changing how chefs break in.

How to enjoy great Asian and Pacific Islander food in San Antonio

The program offers discounts while spotlighting AANHPI-owned restaurants.

A returning food event is spotlighting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio&#x27;s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) restaurant scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/05/09/aapi-month-restaurants-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="b2132d92-bac7-43ab-870b-b55ab1138451" data-vars-headline="How to enjoy great Asian and Pacific Islander food in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/05/09/aapi-month-restaurants-san-antonio" target="_self">San Antonio&#x27;s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) restaurant scene</a> through a citywide passport program.The big picture: The growing event mirrors San Antonio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding AANHPI community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/29/san-antonio-fastest-growing-demographics" data-vars-content-id="b2132d92-bac7-43ab-870b-b55ab1138451" data-vars-headline="How to enjoy great Asian and Pacific Islander food in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/29/san-antonio-fastest-growing-demographics" target="_self">expanding AANHPI community</a>. Since 2000, the city&#x27;s Asian population has grown by about 203%, while the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population increased by about 167%.

Spurs unveil firms for downtown arena project

San Antonio's future arena district is taking shape.

Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment (SS&amp;E) said Wednesday it has hired nine firms to design, plan and build the team&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" data-vars-content-id="552fb63c-ae5c-48d7-bada-79332afdf031" data-vars-headline="Spurs unveil firms for downtown arena project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" target="_self">downtown arena</a> and surrounding entertainment district.Why it matters: The announcement marks a key step forward for the long-discussed arena project.

Business 🏦

Spurs begin citywide meetings on downtown arena plans

Spurs playoff run was a windfall for San Antonio bars

CPS Energy offers savings on electric vehicle charging

Toyota to build Tacoma in $3.6B San Antonio expansion

Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts