Economic Development

The Economic Development Department's vision is for Fort Worth to successfully compete on the national and international stage for creative, high-growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them. To make this vision a reality, our strategy is driven by the three goals of the city's Economic Development Strategic Plan:

Establish Fort Worth's competitive edge.
Become a hub for creative businesses.
Ensure community vitality.

Learn more about our Economic Development Strategic Plan

Ongoing initiatives

Evans & Rosedale Redevelopment Project

The Evans & Rosedale Urban Village is a vibrant district located less than five minutes from Downtown Fort Worth. This six-acre, multi-block greenfield site is located within the city's Historic Southside.

Revitalization

The Full-Strength Fort Worth framework is helping focus the city's economic and community vitality efforts to create a stronger Fort Worth – specifically in key business corridors that serve as the heart of their communities.

Small Business

The organizations at the James E. Guinn Entrepreneurial Campus provide the framework to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs, create a robust pipeline of micro-enterprises, and provide growth opportunities for established small businesses.

Small Business Development Program

The City of Fort Worth is launching a comprehensive Small Business Development Program aimed at expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs, particularly in procurement, certification, and access to capital. This initiative aligns with federal grant requirements and builds on existing partnerships and community feedback.

Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs)

Tax increment financing is a tool authorized by Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code, which allows local governments to publicly finance needed structural improvements and enhanced infrastructure within defined reinvestment zones.

Veterans Affairs

The City of Fort Worth's Office of Veterans Affairs aims to provide support for Fort Worth residents and employees who are veterans, active duty, or guard/reserves, their families, and the wider military-affiliated community.

Incentives

Economic Development Program Agreement Grants

These local grants reimburse private developers for the range of expenses that may otherwise create financing gaps for their projects.

Tax Abatement Program

A tax abatement is an exemption from ad valorem taxes on eligible properties for up to ten years. The amounts of these partial or full abatements can reach up to 100 percent of the increase in appraised value that results from developers' improvements to the property.

Enterprise Zone Program

Enterprise Zones offer local and state tax benefits for new and expanding businesses in economically distressed areas.

Opportunity Zones

The Opportunity Zone program is a federal tax benefit that allows investors to work with the city to benefit the community at large, while also attempting to maximize their investment.

Supporting programs

Additional tools and initiatives are available through other City of Fort Worth departments that also help grow the local economy and support development opportunities.

CDFI Friendly Fort Worth

CDFI Friendly Fort Worth connects community development financial institutions (CDFIs), lenders and other investors with underserved communities to improve their access to funding.

Urban Villages

Urban Villages are small geographic areas (usually one square mile) zoned for dense, multiple-use development that is mass-transit and pedestrian-friendly.

Public Improvement Districts (PIDs)

A Public Improvement District is a defined geographical area established to provide specific types of improvements or maintenance.

Facade Improvement Plans

Fort Worth is helping local businesses in eligible areas improve their curb appeal with the storefront/façade improvement program.

Historic Site Tax Exemption

The Tax Exemption freezes the assessed valuations of the land and improvements for ten years at the pre-renovation values for the purpose of assessing city taxes.

Neighborhood Empowerment Zones

These zones promote housing, economic development and quality services in Fort Worth central city.

Brownfields Improvements

Fort Worth's Brownfields Program aims to decrease blight, remove environmental contamination and re-invigorate redevelopment in the community.

Impact Fee Discount

The City of Fort Worth offers discounts for eligible businesses to reduce the amount of transportation impact fees due.

Department Head

Jessica Rogers

Jessica Rogers was appointed Director of Economic Development in September 2025. In this role, she is responsible for aligning projects with Fort Worth’s long-term economic goals and community priorities.

Prior to this role, Jessica served in various positions in other Texas communities and has more than a decade of public sector executive experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University’s O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Recent news

Love, lattes and pit bulls: How Pit Coffee is fueling FWACC mission

A new coffee shop opened in June with a mission: to help dogs in need and inspire the owner’s four children.

One-mile portion of White Settlement Road to be renamed

Street signs will be replaced at the applicant’s expense, a process that should take about four weeks.

Mayor Parker highlights stories, growth, film at State of the City

She shared examples of everyday Fort Worth residents whose experiences illustrate what makes the city special.

More Economic Development news

Reports

TIF Annual Reports

BAC Annual Reports

Local partners

The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (EDP) is a privately-funded nonprofit whose mission is to promote the Fort Worth region to fuel economic growth and development.

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce brings the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems, and align resources resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all.

The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was created when a small group of minority businesses and community members recognized the need for effective representation in the local business community. It was the fourth Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce to be established in the state of Texas.

The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization with a foundation rooted in economics and education. It supports and advocates for minority business owners and assists the City of Fort Worth staff in economic development efforts throughout the city.

Visit Fort Worth promotes tourism, events and other aspects of Fort Worth targeted to both residents and visitors.

Sparkyard cultivates a connected and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Fort Worth area through a comprehensive platform that connects entrepreneurs and business owners to the resources they need to launch and scale their companies. Its vision is to make the Fort Worth area nationally recognized as a place where people come for their ideas and companies to thrive.

Additional contact information

The Economic Development Department works with a variety of local and regional partners to help provide the most accurate information on several topics.

Business license

Tarrant County Clerk's Office: 817-884-1195

Chambers of Commerce

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce: 817-336-2491
Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce: 817-871-6538
Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: 817-625-5411

Demographics

North Central Texas Council of Government: 817-640-3300
Texas Department of Transportation: 817-370-5600

Employees and Workforce

Texas Workforce Commission: 817-861-2150
Occupational Safety & Health Admin (OSHA): 817-428-2470

Licenses and permits

Tarrant County Health Department: 817-871-7200
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission: 817-451-9466
State Licenses and Permits: 800-888-0511

Miscellaneous

Better Business Bureau: 817-332-7585

Taxes

State Sales Tax: 800-252-5555
Federal Taxes: 800-829-1040

Contact us

For media inquiries, please call 817-392-6027 or send us an email.

For general inquiries or other information, contact:

Fort Worth Economic Development Department:

100 Fort Worth Trail, 14th floor
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-392-2669 (phone)
817-392-2650 (fax)

Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center (BAC)

1150 South Freeway, Suite 106
Fort Worth, TX 76104
fwbac@fortworthtexas.gov

817-392-2647 (phone)
817-392-6031 (fax)