This week, Port San Antonio announced major expansions that could drive new traffic and interest to the former Air Force base — a welcome development for many cutting-edge companies already there.
Freddy Ramirez, CEO of CNF Technologies, a cybersecurity company in Port San Antonio, told the Business Journal that the expansion will be a boon for current members, the surrounding community and the city.
CNF Technologies Corp., founded by husband and wife Fred and Roxanne Ramirez in 2005 — the founder's son Freddy Ramirez took over the CEO role this year — has been at Port San Antonio since 2019. It has office space in the Project Tech Building I and the Roberson building at the intersection of General Hudnell and General McMullen Drives.
CNF Technologies has vested interest in aerospace and critical infrastructure security, and Ramirez said he is looking forward to potential partnerships with the companies who will be moving in to the Port following expansions — and about being able to team up to use some of the same tools and resources.
"The Port’s investment and expansion give credibility to the companies who already call the southwest side of San Antonio home," Ramirez said.
Not only will the new developments help attract and retain talent, but clients and customers as well, he added. When people visit CNF Technologies' offices from New York or Washington, D.C., it's a benefit to be able to highlight a growing, exciting area. According to Ramirez, the Port is keeping pace with — perhaps even beginning to surpass — other areas of the country with investments in the infrastructure needed to attract new and innovative companies.
"This is something people in our industry notice," he said. "How close are you to other areas of up-and-coming technology?"
The expansion of the Port will not only bring in companies, said Ramirez, but likely companies with the kind of talent and resources not typically found south of Highway 90.
"It's one thing to bring in a high number of jobs," he told the Business Journal. "(But) what the Port is on the verge of doing is building an area with a very high concentration of high-tech employers needing highly qualified personnel."
Ramirez said its an exciting time, and he hopes to see the highest concentration of technology jobs south of Austin in the 78226 zip code in the future.
