Full-Strength Fort Worth - Developer Portal

These projects will catalyze new development in the city's revitalization areas and fill gaps in neighborhood economies. Projects must commit to at least $5 million in investment and fall under one of the following categories:

• Mixed-use development
• Fill a gap in the community (ex. a grocery store in a food desert)
• Be located along a commercial corridor or within an urban village
• Generate significant job opportunities in the area
• Help create a hub of entrepreneurial activity that attracts entrepreneurs and high-growth companies.

This program helps promote the preservation and renovation of historical buildings throughout Fort Worth. Those who are willing to make improvements that are at least 20% of the assessed value of the historical property will be eligible for a tax freeze and the pre-improvement tax rate for 10 years.

These grants are available to help small businesses along commercial corridors improve their curb appeal in order to boost traffic to their business. Once approved, the City of Fort Worth will reimburse $1 for every $3 spent on eligible improvements once the project is complete. Projects can include painting, siding, windows, doors, exterior lighting, trim, signage, etc.

Both grants and tax abatements are available for the redevelopment of surface parking lots located along East Lancaster that support compatible businesses in Fort Worth's Central Business District (CBD) and associated commercial corridors.

In order to be considered for an economic development grant, a project must redevelop a surface parking lot in Fort Worth's CBD that occupies at least 30% of the area of the city block where it is located. Fort developments that include multiple lots owned by different parties, the grant amount may increase up to 45%.

The following areas are specific locations where the City of Fort Worth has tools and incentives available to partner with developers, businesses and investors to encourage revitalization.

• Designated Investment Zones include certain CDBG-eligible census tracts that have been targeted for revitalization by the City of Fort Worth. The zones receive enhanced consideration under various City incentive programs and help focus Fort Worth's revitalization efforts.
  
  
• Revitalization Target Areas are geographic areas built around strategically valuable neighborhood commercial corridors. The City of Fort Worth leverages concentrated programmatic and incentive support in these areas to create a strong environment for small businesses, entrepreneurship and commercial development, and to establish the conditions for sustainable long-term neighborhood vitality.
  
  
• Urban Villages are small geographic areas (usually around one square mile in size) that are zoned for dense, multiple-use development that is mass-transit and pedestrian-friendly. Parks, businesses, entertainment, homes and stores are all within walking distance of each other in an area with a consistent look and feel that emphasizes the culture and heritage of those who call it home.
  
  
• Opportunity Zones provide a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds, which are dedicated to investing in state-designated zones. The State of Texas originally designated 628 eligible low-income census tracts as Opportunity Zones, and six of them are located in Fort Worth.
  
  
• Neighborhood Empowerment Zones (NEZs) are in locations where property owners may be eligible for municipal property tax abatements, fee waivers, and release of city liens if they build or rehabilitate property within the area. These incentives are designed to promote affordable housing, economic development and expanded services.