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

Fort Worth is an outstanding place to start, grow, or relocate your business.
No matter what you're looking for, it begins in Fort Worth.

Ongoing initiatives

RFEI (Requests for Expressions of Interest)

An RFEI, or "Request for Expression of Interest", offers developers an opportunity to be chosen to develop available sites in the city.

Public Improvement Districts (PIDs)

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

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.

Full-Strength Fort Worth

The Full-Strength Fort Worth revitalization framework combines the expertise of local and national partners with the city's resources and tools, to create a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes equity and preservation, celebrates diversity, and creates exciting communities where everyone can thrive.

Small Business Support

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.

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.

Neighborhood Empowerment Zones

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

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.

Brownfields Improvements

Fort Worth's Brownfields Program aims to decrees blight, remove environmental contamination and reinvigorate redevelopment in the community.

Facade Improvement Plans

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

Supporting programs

Business Equity

The Business Equity Division of the city's Diversity & Inclusion Department supports capacity-building efforts for aspiring and existing Business Equity Firms (minority and women business enterprises), or disadvantaged business enterprises.

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.

Preserve the Fort

In 2020, the City of Fort Worth partnered with United Way of Tarrant County and other local partners to provide the city's small business community with financial assistance through the Preserve the Fort small business grant program.

Contact us

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

For general information or other information about the Guinn Campus, contact:

Fort Worth Economic Development Department:

1150 South Freeway, Suite 106
Fort Worth, TX 76104
fwbac@fortworthtexas.gov
817-392-6021 (phone)
817-392-6031 (fax)

Office of Small Business:

1150 South Freeway, Suite 106
Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-392-2622 (phone)
817-392-6031 (fax)

Department Head

Robert Sturns

Robert Sturns has more than 25 years of experience holding leadership roles in municipal government, commercial real estate and banking operations. In his current role, he is responsible for the economic development program for the City of Fort Worth, including business attraction and retention, community revitalization, and small business/entrepreneurship development.

Reports

TIF Annual Reports

BAC Annual Reports

Local partners

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.

Fort Worth Now will strategically and aggressively usher in a new era of economic development by identifying key sectors and talent industries for new opportunities throughout our entire community.

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

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