Economic Development

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 four key areas:

Doing Business with the City: Helping businesses obtain the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification and navigate public sector procurement in order to participate, compete, and win City of Fort Worth contracting opportunities.
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.

Fort Worth Chambers of Commerce: City-Funded Small Business Support and Collaboration

Three Chambers. One Goal. Stronger Small Businesses.

The three Chambers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate, share resources, and amplify opportunities for small businesses across Fort Worth. The three Chambers each have key focus areas.

Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce

Key Focus Areas:

Bonding & insurance workshops to build long-term partnerships.
Financial readiness through banking partnerships.
Workforce development in partnership with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
Increased HUB and small business certifications.

Expanded Deliverables:

Deliver bonding and insurance education in collaboration with industry partners.
Host financial literacy workshops to strengthen capital readiness.
Distribute templates for small business financial reporting.
Track and report capital access and bonding capacity trends.
Build a workforce development program with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
Host fast-track certification workshops and assist businesses with submissions.
Measure and report progress in SBE, HUB, and HUBZone certifications.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Key Focus Areas:

Supply chain and logistics training, mentorship, and oversight.
Matching small businesses to City contracts via NAICS codes.

Expanded Deliverables:

Provide training in logistics, procurement, and inventory management.
Educate small businesses on legislative and technological changes in supply chain.
Match small businesses with city contracts under $100K based on NAICS codes.
Identify and track matches for contracts over $100K and expiring multi-year agreements.
Report quarterly on procurement matches and track outcomes in an annual review.

Fort Worth Chamber

Key Focus Areas:

Monthly forums, workshops, and quarterly expos connecting small businesses with prime vendors.
City contracting promotions using the Chamber’s communication network.
Succession planning support for small business owners.

Expanded Deliverables:

Host monthly forums, seminars, and expos to foster prime-small business partnerships.
Launch mentor-protégé programs to expand expertise among small businesses.
Conduct industry-specific forums in sectors like construction, tech, and logistics.
Use digital and print channels to amplify city contracting opportunities.
Support exit planning through advisory connections with succession experts.
Deliver annual strategic reports measuring outreach, joint ventures, subcontracting, and mentoring outcomes.

Shared Goals

Increase local small business participation in City contracts.
Expand access to capital and mentorship.
Strengthen community-wide business support infrastructure.

City News

City Council approves creation of Small Business Development Program

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