Commissioners approve county delegation trip to Israel for investment and cyber meetings; broader FDI plan tabled

Bexar County’s economic development staff asked the Commissioners Court March 11 for guidance on a formal foreign direct investment (FDI) plan and for approval of a county delegation to travel to Israel March 20–26 for investment‑promotion meetings tied to a major cyber conference.

Staff presented a proposed FDI portfolio of target countries aligned with San Antonio’s and the county’s industry priorities — advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, life sciences and new energy — and recommended a longer‑range planning process to be integrated with next fiscal year’s budget. Commissioners voiced differing views on timing and oversight of international trade trips.

Commissioner Tommy Moody, who proposed the Israel trip, and staff emphasized that Israel is an active center for cybersecurity and start‑ups and that several in‑country meetings were lined up with companies that county leaders consider relevant to local priorities. An in‑country contractor, David Yari, described a tight itinerary focused on cyber‑sector meetings and one‑on‑one sessions with Israeli companies exploring U.S. expansion.

Commissioner Tommy Rodriguez moved to table the proposed FDI plan (the longer‑range document staff sought direction on) so it can be developed and presented as part of the next budget process; the court approved the motion to table. On the separate travel authorization, the court approved the March trade mission to Israel and an estimated delegation budget shown to the court; staff said tickets already purchased were refundable and the delegation would coordinate with in‑country support.

Ending — The court instructed economic development staff to develop a more detailed five‑year FDI plan tied to the budget process, while approving the near‑term Israel trade mission and directing staff to provide a follow‑up plan on budget, risk and in‑country coordination.