San Antonio—Nation's Best-Performing City in Recession

Known for flourishing tourism and healthcare industries as well as a healthy military presence, San Antonio was ranked the strongest metropolitan area in the country for economic performance. This according to the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization dedicated to conducting independent research. This initial report covered the first quarter of 2009, measuring the nation’s top 100 metropolitan areas according to employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing prices and foreclosure rates.

San Antonio continues to push forward through the recession with the $279 million expansion of its famed River Walk. The original River Walk was built as part of the Works Progress Administration. It created jobs for San Antonians and inspired the very tourism industry that has aided the strength of the city’s economy. The current extension of the River Walk is once again expected to inspire growth and development along the spring-fed San Antonio River—and this is only one of many ways that the city continues to advance. Almost 3,500 hotel rooms are slated to come online in San Antonio in 2,009, followed by the opening of the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in early 2010.

These developments, along with the city’s reputation for history, culture and scenic beauty continue to aid in the health of one of the nation’s most alluring destinations.

    For more on San Antonio, go to www.visitsanantonio.com or call 800-ALAMO-07.