Former San Antonio Councilwoman to Lead ESTAR West as New Nonprofit Focuses on West Side Development

ESTAR West, an organization dedicated to fostering economic development and community resilience on San Antonio's West Side, has officially transitioned from a coalition into an independent nonprofit entity. Former City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval has been appointed as its inaugural executive director. The organization, whose name stands for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Thriving Alongside Residents on the Westside, originated in 2022 as an Aspen Institute initiative, anchored by Prosper West.

Its core mission remains to coordinate with local nonprofits, facilitating business access to support services and attracting investment to the historically underserved West Side. Key areas of focus include improving infrastructure, enhancing community resiliency, and addressing resident displacement. ESTAR West plans to conduct an anti-displacement study, providing data to community organizations for solution development. Operating from The Shop II Cisneros Building on Buena Vista Street, the nonprofit emphasizes listening to community needs rather than offering direct services or replacing existing efforts. This approach aims to uplift ongoing work and fill critical gaps, particularly in the 78207 ZIP code. For developers and investors, ESTAR West represents a centralized point for understanding community priorities and engaging in coordinated development strategies that prioritize equitable growth and local input.