Economic Development Strategic Plan

2022 Economic Development Strategic Plan Update


In 2017, the City of Fort Worth published its first Economic Development Strategic Plan with the goal of identifying strategies to help Fort Worth become a hub for creative businesses, and identifying opportunities to enhance the city's status in the region and nation.

In light of Fort Worth's monumental growth over the past few years and the various economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Fort Worth turned once again to TIP Strategies to review and update the 2017 plan for 2022. The result includes an updated list of Fort Worth's target industries, and calls for several bold new initiatives to help Fort Worth build upon its existing foundation and create a long-term roadmap for further economic development success.


View the 2022 Economic Development Strategic Plan Update(PDF, 3MB)

 

Key Findings of the 2017 Economic Development Strategic Plan

  • Fort Worth is the fastest growing, among the 20 largest US cities.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth is a talent magnet, drawing new residents from across the US.
  • The city has a vast reserve of land to drive growth, but residential uses dominate the tax base.
  • Fort Worth residents are increasingly dependent on jobs in other cities.
  • The city’s jobs-housing balance is eroding.
  • Fort Worth has districts at different stages, which can drive economic development.
  • Investment in the urban core (downtown & surrounding areas) benefits the entire city.
  • Fort Worth has relatively low external visibility among large US cities, but has unique assets available to raise the city’s profile.
  • Fort Worth has key occupational strengths:
    • General: transportation, installation, production
    • Specific: aerospace & geotechnical engineering

Watch for more information over the next few months as the city works with its partners to begin putting the plan into action.

Vision

To compete successfully on the national and international stage for creative, high growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them.

Goals

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

Project Leadership

Thank you to the following individuals who volunteered their time and talents as part of the Project’s Leadership Team and Steering Committee.

Leadership Team

  • Paul Ballard, Trinity Metro
  • Mike Berry, Hillwood Properties
  • Jay Chapa, Assistant City Manager
  • John Terrel, DFW International Airport
  • Victor Boschini, Texas Christian University
  • Michael Branum, NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base
  • Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner, Fort Worth ISD
  • Eugene V. Giovannini, Tarrant County College District
  • J.D. Granger, Trinity River Vision Authority
  • John Campbell, Sundance Square
  • Lillie Biggins, Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth

Steering Committee

  • Lisa McMillan, Tarrant County Administrator’s Office
  • Darlene Boudreaux, Tech Fort Worth
  • Brandom Gengelbach, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
  • Stacy Marshall, Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.
  • Andy Taft, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
  • Paul Paine, Near Southside, Inc.
  • Cintya Segoviano, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Devoyd “Dee” Jennings, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce
  • David Walters, CBRE
  • Nina Petty, Tarrant County College District
  • Mitch Whitten, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Janet Black, BNSF Railway Company
  • Marie A. Holliday, DMD, Sundance Square District
  • Robert Folzenlogen, Hillwood Properties
  • Don Boren, Don Boren and Company, Inc.
  • JJ Cawelti, Bell Helicopter-Textron, Inc.
  • Kevin Davies, Hulen Mall
  • Matt Robinson, Walton Development and Management, Inc.
  • Judy McDonald, Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County

Roundtables

Roundtables brought together stakeholders from target demographics and business sectors to discuss needs they see on the horizon. They were conducted on the following topics:

  • Alliance Employers
  • Major Employers
  • Real Estate Development
  • Downtown
  • Start-ups/Technology
  • Higher Education and WorkforceHealth Care
  • Aviation/Aerospace
  • Young Professionals
  • Infrastructure
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Manufacturing

More information 

 

Media Contact:

Andrea Duffie 
817-392-6027 (phone)

 

Related Information

Back to top