Santa Ana highlights Sahuayo sister-city ties: trade expo, water equipment donation and mural plan

City staff and councilmembers reported on activity this year with Santa Ana's sister city, Sahuayo (MichoacE1n), telling the council the partnership produced business and cultural exchanges and tangible aid.

Deputy City Manager Silvia Vasquez said the sister-city relationship was formalized in 2022 and that 2025 saw several major activities: a March 2025 Santa Ana'Sahuayo Business Expo that drew roughly 50 Santa Ana businesses and about 39 Sahuayo businesses and produced more than 100 business-to-business meetings; the donation of surplus city water equipment to help Sahuayo measure and manage water infrastructure; and a planned collaborative mural at Plaza Calle Cuatro with an expected completion around November 2025.

Vasquez told the council the donated equipment included surplus water meters and inspection and vacuum trailers that the city no longer needed; staff said tracking water use could help Sahuayo access federal infrastructure funding. The delegation also visited local artisans and manufacturers in Sahuayo, and the city's visit last month included Council members Fan and Hernandez.

Council member Fan described the trip as "incredible," said the cultures felt similar and emphasized economic opportunity from artisan goods. Council member Hernandez noted many Sahuayo residents have family across both cities and supported the partnership as both economic development and cultural exchange.

The city said the mural project will involve two artists selected by Santa Ana and two from Sahuayo and will be located at the Plaza Calle Cuatro parking garage; a complementary mural in Sahuayo may follow.

The presentation was informational and did not include a separate council action beyond the update.