Ramiro Gonzales, president and CEO of Prosper West, the West Side's key economic development entity, has stepped down from his leadership role amidst tumultuous discussions about the organization's future and its financial entanglements with the city. Gonzales took charge of the corporation in February 2020, right before the onset of a global pandemic that would later skew the business and economic landscape of the area.
Following an internal audit that pointed towards insufficient city oversight and inadequate documentation at Prosper West, Gonzales tossed in the towel on May 10th. The audit triggered a broader examination of city agreements with several business development organizations (BDOs) and the realignment of oversight responsibilities to an external nonprofit, as reported by the San Antonio Report. Amidst this shake-up, city support for Prosper West hangs by a thread, as the organization's continued access to taxpayer funds remains a question mark.
Gonzales cited his contentious relationship with the city and particularly with District 5 City Councilwoman Teri Castillo, under whose jurisdiction Prosper West falls, as partial motives for his departure. Asserting that his presence at the helm had become more of a roadblock than a boon, Gonzales expressed gratitude for the organization's board and his commitment to its ongoing mission in a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report.
In the interim, Megan Legacy steps in as Prosper West's chair, meeting with Councilwoman Castillo to forge a path forward. Legacy commended Gonzales for his vision and efforts, and emphasized an eagerness to work with various city entities to nurture the economic prospects of the Westside. The city’s financial commitments to Prosper West and its counterparts have been put on hold, leaving none of the BDOs with a secure funding arrangement as the fiscal year nears its completion. "These amazing Compañero ambassadors go out on the streets every single day and help our community," Legacy said according to the San Antonio Report, expressing confidence in the program's future despite financial uncertainties.
The city's response to the audit has been to devolve oversight duties to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which will utilize American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist BDOs through fiscal year 2025. This is a stopgap, at best, with the city's long-term relationship with these organizations up in the air. Redevelopment initiatives such as the remodeling of the Basila Frocks building and the InvestWest project are at risk in the wake of Gonzales' resignation, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Prosper West's efforts to shape economic growth on the Westside. As the ARPA pot runs dry, discussions in City Hall will be crucial for the BDOs, which find themselves on tenterhooks, waiting for a sign of their fiscal futures.
