Small Business Development Program

Growing Small Businesses in Fort Worth

The City of Fort Worth has launched a comprehensive Small Business Development Program (SBDP) within the Economic Development Department to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The program is designed to serve as a cornerstone for economic growth by addressing the unique challenges faced by small businesses and providing the tools they need to succeed. Through targeted initiatives, the SBDP strengthens Fort Worth's small business ecosystem by cultivating competition and collaboration, increasing access to resources, and fostering innovation to ensure the long-term sustainability of the local business community and workforce across industry sectors.

The SBDP focuses its efforts in the key areas below.

			Doing Business with the City Helping businesses navigate public sector procurement in order to participate, compete, and win City of Fort Worth contracting opportunities.
			Small Business Enterprise Certification (SBE) The City of Fort Worth encourages local small businesses to obtain their Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification. The City has set SBE goals on City projects, including a 5% bid preference on contracts up to $100,000 and a 30% utilization target for contracts over $100,000.
			Small Business Support Services Providing general and targeted support for the next generation of local entrepreneurs and small businesses through one-on-one consultations, business plan development, financial readiness training, and business-to-business connections.
			Partnerships with Chambers of Commerce Collaborating with stakeholders and area partners to enhance the SBDP’s reach, provide training and capacity-building programming, and cultivate relationships within the local, small business ecosystem.
			Veterans Business Support and Resources Delivering a full suite of education, technical assistance, and resources for veterans in the small business ecosystem and local workforce.

The SBDP goes beyond short-term support. The SBDP is designed to ensure that small businesses across all sectors have the tools, knowledge and opportunities to thrive in Fort Worth.

By cultivating partnerships with chambers of commerce, certification agencies, and community organizations, the SBDP ensures that local businesses have access to procurement opportunities, technical assistance, and mentorship. These efforts help create a pipeline of sustainable businesses that contribute to job creation, workforce development, and long-term economic stability across industries such as construction, professional services, technology, and manufacturing.

This initiative aligns with federal grant requirements and builds on existing partnerships and community feedback.