FREE TRADE ALLIANCE SAN ANTONIO 

Established in 1994, the Free Trade Alliance is the lead economic development organization for developing and promoting the inland port strategy in San Antonio.

Inland Port

INLAND PORT SAN ANTONIO promotes all of the transportation, distribution, logistics facilities, and services that make up this community's unique capacity to service international trade. San Antonio's unique position midway between the East and West coasts of the United States and its close proximity to Mexico makes it a strategic location for transshipment, distribution, logistics and international trade processing activities.

San Antonio is at the crossroads of major railroads and interstate highways directly connected to the Mexican transportation system. Because of this combination of ideal location and excellent infrastructure, more than 50 percent of the total goods flowing between the U.S. and Mexico travel through San Antonio before reaching their final destination.

Among the key physical resources which make up INLAND PORT SAN ANTONIO are the intermodal facilities at the Port Authority of San Antonio at KellyUSA which offers warehousing and distribution, a 2 mile run way for heavy lift cargo and rail access.  In addition, the San Antonio International Airport also offers air cargo capabilities and warehousing to service the needs of shippers. 

Alliance Goals, Objectives and Activities

FOREIGN INVESTMENT - Attract, retain and expand manufacturing, logistics and other trade-related operations to take advantage of San Antonio’s strategic location and economic incentives.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Assist firms in the San Antonio region in exploring, developing and expanding international business activities.

POLICY and ADVOCACY - Develop and advocate policies on trade-related issues that impact the regional economy.

The Port Authority of San Antonio at KellyUSA

The Authority operates a 1,800+ acre world class multi-modal port in San Antonio, Texas. Over 63 tenants are located in the port and take advantage of the air cargo capabilities, warehousing, rail, and highway infrastructure and connectivity the port offers.  

The Port Authority of San Antonio, a separate political sub-division of the State of Texas, was established as a business entity in 1996 by the City of San Antonio.  The Development Authority has an 11 member Board of Directors comprised of business leaders appointed by City Council. 

Vision:

The Vision of the Authority is to develop KellyUSA into the Port of San Antonio: A multi-modal logistics hub with an industrial, heavy lift international air cargo airport and an inland rail port with multi-modal, inter-national logistics and manufacturing components. 

History of the Port

Since it’s beginning, the 2,000 acre KellyUSA property has always been the site of great importance. Initially, Kelly was the birth place of military aviation which led to its development as a strategic military air force base.  As such, Kelly Air Force Base (AFB) provided the logistical support and maintenance of military aircraft during World War I and through the Cold War Era.  However, in 2001 Kelly AFB was officially closed as part of the base realignment and closure strategy of the U.S. government.  Today, KellyUSA is now a world class multi-modal port serving the needs of the international trade community and aviation industry.