PODER was formed to increase Austin’s residents’ participation in corporate and government decisions related to economic development, environmental hazards and the impact on our neighborhoods. PODER was formed by a group of Chicana/o East Austin activists and community leaders after participation in a national meeting with SEMATECH in May 1991. SEMATECH is a non-profit research consortium funded by the federal government and several of the largest U.S.- owned semi-conductor manufacturers in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. As a result of this meeting, and our interest in issues affecting our community, several of the local participants realized the need to form and organize to address the social, economic and environmental impacts of such industries and the potential health hazards on East Austin’s communities of color.