In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete welcomes Thad Rutherford, President of SouthStar, and Jessica Loudermilk, Chief of Staff to the president of Texas A&M University - San Antonio, for an in-depth conversation about Project Vida. Project Vida is a transformative, mixed-use development on San Antonio's south side, designed to bring together education, housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity. The conversation begins with an overview of SouthStar’s approach to community building and the innovative partnership that has developed between SouthStar, Texas A&M San Antonio, and other major stakeholders, including University Health System.

Throughout the episode, Rutherford and Loudermilk describe how Vida is carefully planned to create not just housing, but an entire ecosystem where residents, students, and workers can thrive. They detail the thought that went into every phase, from diverse home types and affordability to public art and connected green spaces. Loudermilk highlights the unique opportunity for Texas A&M San Antonio to play a central role in this young, growing community, underlining the mutual benefits for the university and the development. The inclusion of a full-service trauma hospital right next to campus further cements the area as a hub for education, healthcare, and innovation.

The discussion widens to include the South Texas Business Partnership, which both guests are engaged in, emphasizing coordinated regional growth and collaboration across South San Antonio and South Texas. Loudermilk shares how the university works closely with local school districts to support a college-going culture and increase access for local students—many of whom are first-generation college attendees.

For more information, on this project, go to the following partner websites:

• https://www.livevida.com/
• https://southstartx.com/
• https://www.tamusa.edu/

To watch the video version of this episode, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK47LdelUpw&t=7s