SAN ANTONIO – Months after announcing a nine-figure investment in its San Antonio plant, Toyota said Monday it will make a seven-figure investment for educational and family programs at East Central Independent School District.
Toyota made the announcement alongside local lawmakers, such as San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.
The company’s USA Foundation will provide $6.5 million worth of grants over five years at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy and a new United Way-launched Family Resource Center both inside Pecan Valley Elementary School.
While the Family Resource Center will be located at Pecan Valley Elementary School, the company said the resource center will be accessible to all ECISD students.
An unknown number of ECISD schools will also “build out” their own STEM programs, according to the news release.
“East Central ISD is proud to partner with the Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative to bring cutting-edge STEM education to Pecan Valley STEM Academy,” East Central ISD superintendent Roland Toscano said in a news release. “Toyota’s commitment to giving is truly remarkable, lifting up students and inspiring them to reach their full potential. Together, we are customizing learning experiences that challenge every student to grow academically and personally, helping to inspire their success in the classroom and beyond.”
Toyota said San Antonio is the company’s ninth launch of its national “Driving Possibilities” initiative.
“Part of what made Texas the eighth-largest economy in the world is our growing and skilled workforce,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, in part. “This $6.5 million in grants to East Central ISD will help equip students in San Antonio with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs in high-demand industries like auto manufacturing.”
Less than a year ago, Toyota announced a $531 million expansion of its South Side plant to accommodate a new rear axle plant that would create more than 400 new jobs.
Plant construction is already underway, with a completion date expected before “the start of operations” in 2026, the company said Monday.
“The future of our company and other companies across Texas depend on strong pipelines of students prepared to be the workforce of tomorrow,” Toyota Texas President Susann Kazunas said, in part. “As Toyota grows in San Antonio — with the construction of our new rear axle plant, and now the implementation of Driving Possibilities in our community — we are proud of how that growth reflects our commitment to South Texas.”
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