Fort Worth Economic Development Guide 2011

fort worth
economic development guide

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The Sky’s
No Limit
Aviation industry rides an updraft Cultural
Phenomenon
Reputation advances
in art and music
Globally
Speaking
Business sector adds
international flavor
What’s Online
See what Tarrant County College
is doing to train students in skills
needed for today’s jobs.
Sponsored by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce | 2011

Workstyle
fort worth
Prescription for Innovation
Fort Worth breeds a diverse life sciences industry
Globally Speaking
14
18
Business sector adds international flavor
The Sky’s No Limit 22

Aviation industry rides an updraft
Cultural Phenomenon 26
Reputation advances in art and music
Insight
Overview 5
Business Almanac 6
Business Climate 10
10 Transportation 30
Energy/Technology 34
Health 36
Education 39
Livability 42
Economic Profile 47
Through the Lens 48
14 39
On the Cover: Downtown Fort Worth blends

modern and classic architecture. Photo by Jeff Adkins
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fort worth 201 1 Edition , volum e 1
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No Limit
Aviation industry rides an updraft Cultural
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Reputation advances
in art and music Web project manager noy fongnaly
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Speaking
Business sector adds
international flavor
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Lifestyle What’s Online
See what Tarrant County College
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needed for today’s jobs.
SPONSOred by The FOrT WOrTh Chamber OF COmmerCe | 2011

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links to local websites and
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resources to give you a big
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Overview
Fort Worth: The Texas Success

Story Begins Here
The Lone Star State remains a Also, the region’s substantial active with a pioneering spirit, and that’s
shining star in the U.S. economy. and retired military population Fort Worth: where the best begins.
CNBC named Texas the top state augments the labor force.
For more information, contact:
for business in 2010, and the Dallas- The DFW region was showcased
Fort Worth region was named the on the world stage recently by David Berzina, CEcD
top major market in the South by hosting the MLB World Series and Executive Vice President –
Southern Business and Development. the NFL’s Super Bowl XLV in nearby Economic Development
Within the best state and the top Arlington. Area residents enjoy sports Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
metro market is the fastest-growing representation in all four premier 777 Taylor St., Suite 900
and 16th-largest U.S. city: Fort Worth. sports leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL and Fort Worth, TX 76102
With our diverse economy, central MLB) year round. Add mild weather, Phone: (817) 338-3391
continental location and explosive world-class cultural amenities, Fax: (817) 877-4035
population growth, Fort Worth has an award-winning downtown dberzina@fortworthchamber.com
an imaginative, pro-business city entertainment district and people www.fortworthchamber.com
government; a plentiful, skilled
workforce; and a highly competitive
cost of living that attracts significant
interest from companies looking to
relocate or expand. Fort Worth is home
to more than 16,300 companies,
including six Fortune 1000 81
companies headquartered here.
Among the advantages that appeal
Plano
to businesses is Fort Worth’s role as
a transportation super-hub. As the Keller 75
result of decades of planning by local

leaders, the city boasts modern 635
Irving
Fort Wor th
airports, well-designed freeway
systems and highly efficient rail
service. Because of Dallas-Fort 30 Dallas
20
Worth International Airport and
the AllianceTexas master-planned
Arlington
20
commercial airport, Fort Worth is
renowned as one of the nation’s
most active inland ports.
TARRANT 175
For the past two years, the Alliance
Mansfield 45
Foreign Trade Zone was ranked No. 1 377
in the United States, representing 35W 287
$5.3 billion in trade dollars. And our
central location means that truck or
rail can reach 96 percent of the U.S. 67
population within 48 hours.
Further, Fort Worth is home to
Fort Wor th
numerous education and training
institutions and is characterized
by a high-tech environment. More
than 324,000 college and university
students are enrolled in the DFW
Metroplex, annually graduating
in excess of 30,000 students.

Almanac
here’s the spot

The rest of the nation is rapidly
catching on to what residents of
Fort Worth already know: The city
is one the best places to relocate.
In fall 2010, BestPlaces.net rated
Fort Worth No. 4 on its Best Cities
to Move to in America list. The rating
considered such factors as cost of
living, crime rates, the number of
colleges and how healthy the
population is, as well as access
to museums, shows, sporting and
other events.
BestPlaces noted Fort Worth’s
growing arts and culture scene,
including an orchestra, ballet,
opera, botanical garden and one
of the best zoos in the nation, as
well as its proximity to major league
sports, including the Texas Rangers
and Dallas Cowboys, both of which
play in nearby Arlington.
The ranking also noted Fort Worth’s
average home price of $119,300,
well below the national average of
$171,700, and a cost of living nearly
14 percent below the national average.
Their Money’s Worth

Want to be in the company of billions of dollars?
Check out the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and
Printing Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth.
The facility includes two floors of interactive
exhibits and displays showcasing the history
of currency and the intricacies of the printing
process, as well as a high-definition theater
film and the Moneyfactory Gift Shop.
A 45-minute tour allows visitors to see billions
of dollars being printed as they walk along an
enclosed elevated walkway suspended over the
production floor. For more on the facility, go to
www.moneyfactory.gov/tours/fortworthtxtours.html.
They Had Their Game Face On
Tarrant County took center stage at Super Bowl XLV.
The game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers
was played at the sparkling new, $1 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium
in Arlington, and ESPN hosted its Super Bowl shows from Sundance
Square in downtown Fort Worth.
A number of the sports giant’s signature programs, including Mike & Mike
in the Morning and many of its shows related to the Super Bowl, originated
from downtown Fort Worth, some 80 hours of programming in all.
Fort Worth officials pitched ESPN in March 2010 and brought network
executives to town for a walking tour of downtown, highlighting the
availability of space, ample foot traffic and eye-catching backgrounds.
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau officials mailed out more than
1,200 press releases and “idea books” to media around the world,
highlighting all aspects of Fort Worth.
Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f GLEN ELLM A N
Mr. Hogan Played Here Emphasis

Fort Worth is home to a number of signature golf courses, including two – Colonial
Country Club and The Golf Club at Fossil Creek – named among the top 20 Texas
on the Dance
golf courses by GolfLink. You can dine, drink and
dance all in one place in
Colonial Country Club, named one of the Best 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf downtown Fort Worth.
magazine, is the home to the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, held
in mid-May. It is the longest-running PGA Tour tournament held at the same venue. Lone Star in Sundance
Square, a 22,000-square-
The tournament, which has an estimated annual economic impact of $33 million, foot entertainment multiplex
has raised more than $39 million for local charities in the last 10 years. Legendary that brings music and live
golfer Ben Hogan, who grew up in Fort Worth, entertainment via six distinct
won the tournament played at Colonial five venues under one roof,
times. For more on the Crowne Plaza opened in November 2010.
Invitational at Colonial, go to
www.crowneplazainvitational.com. The complex allows a common
Ph o t o C o u r t esy o f C o lo n i a l C o u n t ry C lu b i n Fo r t Wo r t h entrance for the six distinct
entertainment venues, which
include a dance club, piano
bar and karaoke club. The
Alamo Bar features more
than 100 varieties of beer,
many of them locally crafted
favorites, while Straight
Tequila Night is a blue agave
tequila bar with a menu of
some 80 different tequilas.
A major feature of Lone Star
is The Stage, a 10,000-
square-foot space that can
accommodate corporate
events in the daytime,
but at night serves as
a performance venue
quipped with professional
sound and lighting systems.
A favorite at The Stage is
Rock Star Karaoke, which
allows wannabe performers
to sing their favorite tunes
accompanied by a live
four-piece band. Go to
www.lonestarsundance.com
for more.

Best Foot Forward
Justin Brands is a company with a lot of sole.
Fort Worth-based Justin, owned by fabled investor Warren Buffet’s Berkshire
Hathaway, makes and markets Western boots as well as work, safety and sports
footwear under the Justin Boot, Nocona Boot, Chippewa Boot and Tony Lama brands,
3,500 different styles in all.
The company’s Western boots come in a variety of exotic leathers, including lizard
and ostrich. Justin Brands sells its footwear through department stores, shoe chains,
specialty stores, catalogs and online.
The company, which dates to 1879, is also a leader in footwear technology, including
such breakthroughs as Grip-on-Demand, Justin Gel cushioning gel and its patented
J-Flex Flexible Comfort System. For more on the company, go to www.justinbrands.com.
Plugged in to
Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s labor pool, access to railroad, air
and highways, availability of move-in industrial
space and ready access to a Foreign Trade
Zone availability were key factors in the city
landing a major electronics manufacturer.
Q-Edge, a subsidiary of Taiwan’s FoxConn
Electronics, has set up operations in more
than 365,000 square feet at the Alliance
development in north Fort Worth, where it
is expected to create up to 500 jobs and
generate an economic impact of more than
$700 million for the region.
Q-Edge makes components for computers,
cell phones and other consumer electronics
shipped worldwide. Its parent company works
with clients that include Apple, Hewlett-
Packard, Nokia, Cisco and Sony.
Fasten Your Seat belts

Texas Motor Speedway is one of the key stops on NASCAR’s
Sprint Cup circuit.
The high-banked, 1.5-mile oval in Fort Worth hosts Sprint
Cup races in April and November, as well as races in
NASCAR’s Nationwide and World Truck series. The track,
with a grandstand seating capacity of 138,000 and infield
capacity of 53,000, also is home to races in other circuits,
including IndyCar.
The track is also home to Team Texas, a NASCAR Sprint
Cup driving school that operates year round, and the only
school in the country that uses authentic Sprint Cup cars
and the current NASCAR Chevrolet SB2 racing engines.
Toy Story
Lego, the maker of brightly colored interlocking bricks
that have brought children hours of joy for generations,
has a Fort Worth connection.
The Denmark company’s North American distribution
operations are in the Alliance Global Logistics Hub.
Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f T o m P e n n i n g t o n
Alliance is a 17,000-acre mixed-use development on

the north side of the city.
Lego opened a distribution operation in Alliance in 2006,
expanded it in 2010 and now has nearly 600,000 square
feet of distribution space there. Exel Inc., a third-party
logistics company, manages the distribution center
for Lego.

p h o t o b y Je f f A d k i n s
Business Climate
Getting Down
to Business
City creates perfect climate for jobs, investment
Story by Katie Kuehner-Hebert

Dallas/Fort Worth
Metroplex
A By the Numbers
n equal partner in the booming and the 30,000 students that graduate
D/FW Metroplex – the 12th from them each year help stock a deep
largest metro economy on the pool of skilled and talented workers.
planet – Fort Worth has attracted
international investment, world-class
With the world’s eighth-busiest
airport, D/FW, in its backyard and the 6.4 million
companies and a global reputation as nation’s only industrial airport, the Population
a center of commerce. Alliance Airport, as well as an integrated
American Airlines, BNSF Railway,
Pier 1 Imports and Radio Shack are
just a few of the household names
interstate network running through it,
Fort Worth is at the crossroads of
business. Beyond its attributes as a
$356 billion
Gross Metro Product
to call Fort Worth home, part of a place to invest, the city offers diverse
3.24 million
6.3 million population region that and vibrant neighborhoods, renowned
includes headquarters for more than cultural attractions, standout
two dozen Fortune 500 companies. architecture, a lively arts and music
Fort Worth has built impressive Labor Force
scene, a bevy of recreation opportunities
industry clusters in aerospace, life and a bustling downtown.
sciences, logistics and manufacturing,
and though it is a city of 730,000, it Fort Worth Shines 24
still has ample acreage within its for Solera Holdings Fortune 500 Firms
borders ready for development. More In 2010, Solera Holdings Inc., which
than 324,000 students are enrolled in
colleges and universities in the region,
helps process car insurance claims,
moved its corporate headquarters 324,608
College Enrollment
Fort Worth is home base for major companies such as Pier 1 Imports and Radio Shack.

from San Diego to the Fort Worth
suburb of Westlake. The company
provides the software and services
used by car insurance companies
and auto body shops.
Company executives said Solera was
attracted to Fort Worth because of the
travel convenience, talent pool and
time zone being closer to Europe.
Senior executives at the company
travel overseas frequently and found
the travel options out of Dallas-Fort
Worth to be much more efficient.
GameStop Expands
in Fort Worth Region
GameStop Corp., the biggest seller
of video game hardware and software
in the world, several years ago
recommitted to its roots in the region
by relocating to a larger facility in the
Tarrant County city of Grapevine.
In 2005, the Grapevine City Council
unanimously nominated GameStop for
$1.25 million in tax refunds, for
moving to a larger facility and hiring
60 to 75 additional employees. The
City Council also accepted the
company’s nomination for the state’s
Enterprise Zone Program, which
promotes job creation and investment
in economically distressed areas. To
qualify for the incentives, at least 35
percent of the company’s new hires
must be economically disadvantaged.
GameStop’s founders started
by opening a retail store of a
predecessor company, Babbage’s,
in a Dallas regional mall in 1983.
By growing through acquisitions
and popularity, GameStop now
employees about 3,000 people in
North Texas and has about 40,000
employees worldwide. It has 6,606
retail stores throughout the world,
with more than 100 in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area.
What’s Online
More about Fort Worth’s economy at
fortwortheconomicdevelopmentguide.com.
Matt Rose, chairman and CEO of BNSF Railway
‘This is a Top-Tier Business Center’

A Q&A with Matt Rose, Chairman and CEO of BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s What advantages does being based a pro-business state. Fort Worth is
leading freight transportation in Fort Worth have for BNSF? also home to a large, talented labor
companies, operating on 32,000 pool, a favorable cost of living and
The Fort Worth-Dallas area has strong transportation infrastructure
route miles of track in 28 states and
become the nation’s fourth-largest that provide easy access to national
two Canadian provinces. The company, metropolitan area, and is on pace to
headquartered in Fort Worth, became and international markets by rail,
eventually become its third largest. highway and air.
a Berkshire Hathaway-owned company This is a top-tier consumer market and
in 2010. Rose joined the company in business center that is developing How do you feel that Fort Worth’s
1993 and was named president in 1999, and attracting a lot of labor talent, climate, location and quality
CEO in 2000 and chairman in 2002. and it has effectively leveraged its of life offerings position BNSF
transportation infrastructure to from a human resources and
Why is BNSF headquartered become an important part of the
in Fort Worth? recruiting perspective?
global supply chain. Those are
This has long been one of the things BNSF finds very valuable. Fort Worth’s geographic location
nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan is definitely an asset. It is a great
It has become more and more
areas in one of its fastest-growing central location with milder winters
important for local, state and federal
and an incredible range of housing,
states because it is well positioned governments to work together with
cultural and entertainment choices.
to serve as a national business private freight railroads to facilitate
If you think about it, how many places
center and transportation hub. more efficient movement of freight and
can offer you a choice between living
people for the benefit of our economy,
A friendly business climate has meant in a high-rise condo downtown or a
and to reduce highway congestion,
a great deal to BNSF and our growth small ranch, or offer you entertainment
environmental emissions and our
here. Fort Worth and Texas are a key ranging from some of the country’s
dependence on foreign oil. Fort Worth
part of our network. We operate on best museums and classical music
has been a strong ally in those efforts.
nearly 5,000 route miles of track and to indoor rodeo without leaving the
originate or handle nearly 6 million Why should companies, national and city limits?
carloads of freight in the state. global, that are looking to relocate That’s why it is such a popular tourist
Between our headquarters in Fort or expand consider Fort Worth? destination and attractive to both
Worth and our operations in the rest Fort Worth has most of the basic single people and families. You
of the state, we employ nearly 7,500 assets companies need for long- combine that with Fort Worth’s
Texans with a payroll of more than term success. That begins with a laid-back, friendly culture and it
$785 million. business-friendly environment in definitely helps our recruiting efforts.

Prescription
for Innovation
Fort Worth breeds a diverse life sciences industry
Story by Melanie Hill
F
ort Worth’s life sciences sector is major global operations. With nearly promotes accredited industry
alive and well, part of a thriving 3,200 employees, it is not only one education to health practitioners
industry metroplex that includes of the region’s largest life sciences through such high-tech methods
450 biomedical companies and some companies, but also one of its as animation, interactive cases and
1,100 research, development and largest employers. streaming video. The company, an
testing laboratories. In 2009, global dermatological affiliate of DFB Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
Among the most recognizable pharmaceutical giant Galderma, a has branched into consumer products
names calling Fort Worth home joint venture between French-based with its Outlast line of hand sanitizers
is Alcon, the world’s largest, most L’Oreal and Swiss-based Nestle, that are designed to provide up to six
profitable and specialized eye care opened an administrative office and hours of germ protection.
company. Alcon, whose majority in-house training facility adjacent to
owner is pharmaceutical giant its North American headquarters in Fort Worth Attracts Startups
Novartis, was founded in Fort Fort Worth. The company also has a The region also attracts some of the
Worth by two pharmacists in 1945. 70,000-square-foot distribution nation’s most promising life science
Today, the company’s revenue is facility at its Fort Worth campus. startups, including ZS Pharma Inc.
more than $6.5 billion and it sells Fort Worth-based Healthpoint Ltd. The privately held specialty
surgical, pharmaceutical and specializes in developing technologies pharmaceutical company relocated
consumer eye care products in more for the prevention and treatment of to Fort Worth from Indiana in 2010.
than 180 countries. The company’s acute, chronic and burn-related “The state of Texas has developed
Fort Worth presence includes the wounds. In 2006, Healthpoint opened a very nice infrastructure to support
largest research and development a research facility in Fort Worth that biodevelopment,” says Dr. Alvaro
lab of its kind, sizable manufacturing includes state-of-the-art laboratories. Guillem, president and chief
facilities and headquarters for its The company’s Wound Institute executive officer of ZS Pharma.
Jeff Keyser, chief operating officer of ZS Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical company that relocated to Fort Worth in 2010
p h o t o b y Je f f A d k i n s

TECH Fort Worth million in 113 early stage companies, Keith Brown, executive director
A key factor in ZS Pharma’s decision and $161 million in grant-matching of BioDFW. “We have a number
to relocate was TECH Fort Worth, a and research funds to Texas of established companies with
nonprofit business incubator that assists universities. Additional industry international presence, thanks to
entrepreneurs through its business funding comes through the Houston- the quality research, medical school
accelerator programs. In 2009, TECH based Cancer Prevention & Research programs and entrepreneurial
Fort Worth boasted an economic Institute of Texas. The state program opportunities in North Texas.”
impact of more than $12 million. has issued $3 billion in bonds to fund
groundbreaking cancer research and University of North Texas
“Most of our clients are people who
prevention programs. Health Science Center
have been very successful in their
Anchoring research and development
careers, but have never started a BioDFW Promotes efforts in Fort Worth is the University
business from scratch before, which Regional Growth of North Texas Health Science Center.
is what we’re good at,” says Darlene Fort Worth companies also gain The organization generated $43 million
Ryan, executive director of TECH Fort support through BioDFW, a regional in research grants annually and is
Worth. “It’s often the little things in life sciences alliance. Dedicated to the rooted in Fort Worth’s bioscience
the beginning, but then we help growth and financial prosperity of community through partnerships
them get funding, introduce them North Texas’ life sciences industry, with health-care providers and
to investors and assist with BioDFW includes representation from biomedical companies. Faculty also
presentation development.” government and industry leaders, provide community care through
With guidance from TECH Fort universities and support organizations. UNT Health, the largest multispecialty
Worth, ZS Pharma secured a $2 million “One of the concerns established group practice in Tarrant County.
grant from the Texas Emerging companies sometimes have is that UNT Health Science Center’s facilities
Technology Fund. In its five-year they will be the only company of their include the Center for BioHealth. The
history, the fund has invested $159 type, which is just not true,” says facility includes research and drug
development laboratories where
leading-edge research is taking place
in such areas as Alzheimer’s disease,
diabetes, environmental and
occupational health, and more.
“We have partnerships with every
significantly sized Fort Worth research
company,” says Dr. Scott Ransom,
president of UNT Health Science Center.
“We have an enormous impact on
developing companies as well, which
provides an economic base for
commercial efforts.”
The UNT Health Science Center
includes the Texas College of
Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences, School
of Public Health and School of Health
Professions. In 2014, UNT Health
Science Center plans to launch an MD
program that will boost enrollment
to 2,300 and help address a need for
more physicians across the state.
Several health-care, business and
civic organizations have pledged
$25 million to cover the costs of
starting the MD program.
The University of North Texas Health

J e ff A d k i n s
Science Center (left) includes research

and drug development laboratories (right)
that are performing leading-edge research.
DFW Life Sciences By the Numbers
460 1,100 19
Number of life sciences companies Number of research and testing Members of the National Academy
in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex laboratories in the region of the Sciences based in the region
P h o t o C o u r t es y o f Je r e m y E n l o w/S t ee l S h u t t e r

Globally
Speaking
Transportation assets,
workforce give Fort Worth
international business flavor
Story by Betsy Williams
F
ort Worth has a global address. its U.S. base in Fort Worth. Mexico- to its biggest customer at the time,
In addition to being home to a based bakery giant Grupo Bimbo American Airlines, factored into the
number of companies that do operates the Mrs Baird’s bakery company’s decision to locate one of
business internationally, including products line in Fort Worth. its three manufacturing facilities in
American Airlines, Pier 1 Imports Fort Worth, says Jim Cangiano, vice
and Radio Shack, the region has taking a seat at alliance. president of sales and marketing. “We
capitalized on its transportation RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas have been successful because of our
assets, workforce, cultural diversity Inc., part of a German conglomerate, workforce,” he says. “There is a good
and specially designed incentives manufactures top-quality seats for a chance that we will need to expand
programs to lure direct investment variety of international customers, further, and because of the success
from a trove of foreign-owned including Delta, American Airlines, that we have enjoyed in this area, we
companies, some of whom are FlyDubai and EgyptAir. Approximately will consider Fort Worth as a prime
among the region’s major employers. 300 engineers, production technicians, candidate for our location.”
French dairy products giant human resource professionals and The Fort Worth facility deals
Dannon has a Fort Worth plant. support personnel work in the primarily with customers in North
Vétoquinol, a French company 100,000-square-foot facility at America and South America, but
involved in research and development, AllianceTexas in Fort Worth. visitors from all over the world
production and marketing of medical A talented technical workforce, regularly visit the plant. And that
and dietary products for animals, has favorable labor rates and proximity international flavor carries over
Above: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is home to American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth. Left: RadioShack’s corporate
headquarters and Tarrant County College in Fort Worth p h o t o b y j e ff A d k i n s

to a diverse workforce.
“We are very proud to note that of
our 300 people, we are represented by
many countries, including Germany,
India, Mexico, the UK, the Middle East
and, of course, Texas,” Cangiano says.
Calling on the World
U.S. companies based in Fort Worth
are active players in global business
markets. In a five-year period from
2003 to 2008, foreign trade in the
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
increased 56 percent. Exports to
foreign markets from the region
top $19 billion.
A host of services and resources
promote international business in
the region, including presence of
29 foreign consulate offices and five
foreign trade offices, a regional office
of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
a district office of the U.S. Customs
Service and a regional U.S. Export
Assistance Center.
J e ff A d k i n s
RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas Inc.

produces top-quality seats in Fort Worth.
World of Opportunity
Fort Worth chamber helps forge international ties
Fort Worth isn’t just waiting for In May 2010, the chamber Canada, Asia and central South
international companies to come and Fort Worth’s Sister Cities America. These friendships are
calling. Through the Fort Worth International affiliate traveled to beneficial because they build a
Chamber of Commerce, business China to establish economic ties sense of trust that makes it easier for
leaders are taking a proactive approach with the cities of Guiyang and companies to “develop a relationship
to stimulating global business locally Zhaoqing, and choose one as Fort right off the bat rather than make a
through incentives, strategic alliances, Worth’s newest sister city. “We help cold call,” Ferguson says.
trade missions to foreign countries facilitate relationships between Fort Guiyang was selected as Fort
and other targeted efforts. Worth citizens and local leaders Worth’s eighth sister city, in part
In addition to offering counseling and in international cities, and make because both cities share a
expertise in foreign exports, imports introductions for the chamber and specialization as a distribution hub.
and market strategy, the chamber other organizations looking to create And Ferguson sees more
hosts inbound and outbound trade business opportunities abroad,” international economic partnerships
missions and has sent first-time says Mae Ferguson, president on the horizon. “So many people who
exporters, as well as established of Sister Cities for Fort Worth. come to Fort Worth from other
international players in Fort Worth, Since adding an economic countries visit because of the
to Ecuador, Brazil, Beijing, Shanghai, development focus to its selection cowboys, but we’re also a city of
Mexico, Canada and Switzerland process for sister cities, the culture and commerce – and that
to meet with potential clients organization has helped Fort Worth surprises a lot of international
and partners. forge partnerships with cities in people,” she says. – Emily McMackin
More than 1,700 employees
work locally at RadioShack’s
Trinity River Campus headquarters,
two distribution centers and retail
stores, and are part of an international
retail group of almost 7,000 stores
and kiosks.
“RadioShack has found a skilled,
stable and diverse labor pool to draw
from,” says Eric Bruner, director
of RadioShack corporate
communications, says of the local
workforce. “They are drawn to the
Fort Worth area by a favorable tax
environment, affordable living
standards, a wide range of choices
for education at all levels, and a varied
selection of restaurants, entertainment
and recreation venues.”
In addition, Fort Worth has proven
to be an optimal location for product
distribution.
“RadioShack’s distribution
facilities in Fort Worth are ideally
located to support thousands of
the company’s retail stores across
a broad portion of the central United
States,” Bruner says. “Because of
the Fort Worth-based facilities’
proximity to high-quality air,
rail and interstate highway
infrastructure, these local
operations replenish more than
half of all merchandise shipped
to RadioShack stores nationwide.”
air facilities Move the Goods
DFW International Airport’s
strategic central location facilitates
cargo connections around the world,
offering air and trucking connections
and commercial air travel for 60
million passengers a year.
Fort Worth’s Alliance Airport,
the world’s first industrial airport,
is the only Foreign Trade Zone in
North Texas with combined air, rail
and highway access, and provides
special customs procedures to
U.S. plants engaged in international
trade-related activities as part of a
comprehensive incentives package
designed to lure foreign investment
to the region.

The Sky’s
No Limit
Fort Worth aviation, aerospace
industries ride an updraft
Story by Heather Johnston Johnson
L
ike childhood pals, Fort Worth Southwest Airlines and numerous
and the aviation industry have aviation-related suppliers and
grown up together. manufacturers.
Since the World War II era, the city’s Years of aerospace and aviation
heavy military presence, including the expertise have given the Fort Worth
former Carswell Air Force Base along region a big piece of the aviation pie.
with its mild climate, have made it a Harris says the region has 9 to 10
breeding ground for all aspects of percent of the nation’s total
aerospace and aviation enterprise. aerospace workers.
Aviation Brings Jobs Lockheed Martin Brings
To Fort Worth Big Business To Fort Worth
“Our culture and traditions make us A major building block of the
unique,” says Tom Harris, senior vice Fort Worth aerospace community
president of operations for Hillwood, is Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics
a real estate development company. Division, which builds military jets
Hillwood subsidiary Alliance Air including the F-16 and the F-35, and
Services manages Fort Worth Alliance employs more than 13,000 people in
Airport, a centerpeice of the massive the region. The division had $13.2
Alliance mixed-use, office, industrial, billion in sales in 2010, including the
Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f L o c k h e e d Mar t i n
retail and residential development. Fort Worth headquarters and other

Allinace houses divisions of more than operations in California, Georgia and
240 companies, including Bethesda, other smaller locations.
Md.-based Lockheed Martin, Bell Norman Robbins, senior manager
Helicopter, American Airlines, of community relations with Lockheed
Lockheed Martin makes the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighters in
Fort Worth.
What’s Online
For more about the thriving aviation
industry in Fort Worth, go to

Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f Ka l e e A p p l e t o n , B e l l H e l i c o p t e r p h o t o g ra p h e r
Bell Helicopter employs about 5,700 people in Fort Worth.
Lockheed Martin manufactures its F-35 in the area. The airplane is part
of the largest defense program in the nation’s history and will likely have
a lifespan of 50 years.
Martin, says Fort Worth’s local military advantage of the local education attract talent from all over North
presence is invaluable. “The amount of base and continually considers new Texas, and allows our employees to
support here is overwhelming. A lot of products and innovations. Lockheed live in an area ranked as one of the
Air Force personnel were based here takes education seriously and top places in the country to live and
and they ended up retiring here,” subsidizes the cost of advanced work,” says Robert Hastings, senior
Robbins says. degrees. It also hires employees from vice president for Bell, which has
Lockheed Martin manufactures its local universities, who are recent about 5,700 employees in Fort Worth.
F-35 in the area. The airplane is part graduates just starting their careers The company’s Bell 429, a light
of the largest defense program in the “The Fort Worth and Dallas area twin helicopter, is a relatively recent
nation’s history and will likely have a have a large number of good universities, offering. Hastings says the model is
lifespan of 50 years, Robbins says. The several with advanced engineering one of the most advanced versions
company is still building the F-16. The and degree programs,” says Joe Stout, on the commercial market today. The
project, which began in 1975, likely director of communications with company also received a U.S. Army
has another 10 years of production. Lockheed Martin. contract for cabin upgrades to the
Local expertise is important to the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. The craft is a
company. “Many of our employees are Bell Helicopter Is A proven staple in the Army’s combat
retired military employees; they have Major Military Supplier operations fleet, Hastings says.
experience and knowledge. So the Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, Other products produced by the
people who sell our aircraft aren’t is another area success story that company include the V-22 Osprey,
the usual salesmen,” Robbins says. builds on local military expertise and the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter
Aside from its current heavy-hitting the strong education base. “Operating and the UH-1Y Venom utility
military products, the company takes in and around Fort Worth allows us to helicopter.
Made in Fort Worth
Region builds a roster of signature manufacturers
From trucks to work clothes, some 9 million barrels of beer an attractive locale for new
boots to beer, aerospace a year. manufacturing investment. Pratt
systems to airport passenger Fort Worth is one of three Industries Inc., the sixth-largest
boarding bridges, Fort Worth manufacturing locations for paper and packing company in
has an active and diverse ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems, the U.S., will build a corrugated box
manufacturing sector aided by which produces passenger manufacturing facility in Fort Worth.
its central location, integrated boarding bridges and systems Pratt plans to create 140 full-time
transportation infrastructure used at airports around the world. jobs by the end of 2013.
and highly skilled workforce. And the region remains – Andy Whisenant
Fort Worth has attracted
a core of diverse and
high-profile manufacturers.
Q-Edge, a company specializing RELOCATE WITHOUT
in manufacturing and assembly for BREAKING ROUTINE.
computers, cell phones and other
consumer electronics, picked the When it comes to relocating,
Alliance Global Logistics Hub for the Residence Inn Fossil Creek/
a 365,000-square-foot operation Fort Worth lets you stay in the
that brought close to 500 jobs routine of real life. So when it’s
and an almost $700 million time to settle in your new home
economic impact to the city. you’ll already be settled in your
Williamson Dickie new city.
Manufacturing Co., a leader in
work apparel production, is based
in Fort Worth, where its Dickies-
brand apparel, footwear, school
uniforms and medical scrubs are
sold all over the world. Justin
Brands, which has roots that
go back to 1879 and moved to
Fort Worth in 1925, makes and
markets 3,500 styles of Western, To reserve your room, call the
work, safety and sports footwear. hotel directly at (817) 439-1300,
General Motors Corp.’s our reservations desk at
assembly plant in nearby Arlington (800) 489-0765 or visit
employs 2,400 workers who make www.residenceinn.com/DFWRI.
large sports utility vehicles such
as the Chevrolet Tahoe and
Cadillac Escalade. MillerCoors’
Fort Worth brewery was the
first to produce Miller Lite. The
700-employee operation produces
Residence Inn by Marriott ®

Fort Worth Fossil Creek
5801 Sandshell Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76137
T (817) 439-1300 • F (817) 439-3329
www.residenceinn.com/DFWRI
Rates are per room, per night, based on
availability, not available for groups of 10
or more rooms.

Cultural
Phenomenon
Fort Worth carves a reputation as a center of art, music
Story by Kevin Litwin
F
ort Worth’s roots are in the Old Histories, Mysteries
West, and while it gives a nod to Five major museums form the
its Western heritage, it is most backbone of an impressive cultural
definitely a sophisticated city on the district: the Fort Worth Museum of
move, perhaps no more in evidence than Science and History, Kimbell Art
in the cultural mosaic it has created. Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort
Yes, its slogan is City of Cowboys Worth, the National Cowgirl Museum
and Culture, and with 2 million people and Hall of Fame, and the Amon
who visit the Stockyards National Carter Museum of American Art,
Historic District, no doubt Fort which celebrated its 50th anniversary
Worth’s cowboy- and Western- in 2011. Combined, the museums draw
related heritage is a popular draw. 1.5 million cultural visitors a year.
But Fort Worth has created another The Kimbell’s reputation is not only
side to its culture, too; one that is for its collection, which includes works
drawing the city acclaim as a major by masters such as Picasso, Matisse
center of art and music, not only and Cezanne, but its stunning design
creating a whole new market for by American-born architect Louis I.
visitors, but contributing heavily Kahn (1901-1974) that features
to a rich and diverse quality of life. innovative use of natural light and
“Our latest tourism figures show subtle articulation of space and
that about 1.5 million visitors are now materials, and makes the museum
enjoying the cultural side of Fort a work of art in its own right.
Worth annually,” says David DuBois, The Jubilee Theatre, Circle
president and CEO of the Fort Worth Theatre, Will Rogers Memorial
Convention & Visitors Bureau. “There Center and Fort Worth Symphony
will always be a cowboy/cowgirl focus Orchestra round out a cultural
in Fort Worth – as there should be. powerhouse that also includes
But it’s nice to see that visitors are the Fort Worth Zoo, which draws
finding out about the many other sites 1 million people each year and is
we have.” home to 5,000 native and exotic
J e ff A d k i n s
A visitor views artwork at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth.

photos by Antony Boshier
animals in 12 permanent exhibit areas. that grace the Grand Facade.

The Van Cliburn International Piano
FORT WORTH
Bass Performance Hall
A signature feature of both Fort
Competition and Cliburn Concerts bring
world-class classical music talent to
CONVENTION
Worth’s culture and its downtown
renaissance is the Nancy Lee and Perry
Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Opera, a CENTER STATS
cultural fixture since 1946, has added
R. Bass Performance Hall, which opened
252,000
the Fort Worth Opera Festival that
in 1998 and encompasses an entire city occurs in late spring each year.
block. It is the home base of the Fort “We give the world the gift of new
Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Size, in square feet,
opera and continue to surprise and of exhibit space
Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and enchant our audiences,” says Darren
the Van Cliburn International Piano
1,200
Woods, Fort Worth Opera general
Competition and Cliburn Concerts.
director. “My prediction is that in 2011
“Bass Performance Hall is the
and beyond, our scrappy little company
focal point of the performing arts Number of on-site parking spaces
opportunities available to our will continue to surprise and enchant.”
Cultural and tourism-related
community,” says Dione Kennedy,
president and CEO of Performing Arts
Fort Worth Inc. “In addition to classical
business has a major impact on the Fort
Worth economy. More than 12,000 jobs
41
are associated with the industry, and Number of breakout rooms
music, ballet, opera and touring
tourism provides an economic impact
30,000
Broadway, we are also the perfect
intimate venue to present some of of more than $1 billion annually.
the finest country music artists.” “We are an economic engine for the
The 2,056-seat hall’s design was city,” DuBois says. “And things are Size, in square feet,
modeled after the classic European getting better all the time. In 2010, the of the ballroom
opera houses, and its signature Fort Worth Convention Center held 57
features include an 80-foot-diameter
Great Dome atop the Founders Concert
Theater and twin 48-foot-tall angels
major events. And those events meant
122,000 hotel rooms were booked in 13,500
2010, compared to 95,000 in 2009.” Number of seats in the arena
Source: www.fortworthgov.org
From left: A tiger at the Forth Worth Zoo; Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth

Transportation
A Force by
Ground and Air
AllianceTexas development anchors Fort Worth
transportation, distribution infrastructure
p h o t o s b y Je f f A d k i n s
Fort Worth Business Parks
I
t helps to have connections, and
Fort Worth has plenty of them.
The city has become one of the
Beechwood
nation’s logistics and distribution
powerhouses, thanks in large part
to its proximity to the world’s eighth- AllianceTexas
busiest airport – Dallas/Fort Worth
Fossil Creek
International Airport – and ease
of access to strong transportation Railhead CentrePort
options that include an expansive
rail network and major interstates Industrial Park
I-20, I-30 and I-45, as well as I-35, a Riverbend
major north-south route that links the 30
United States to Mexico and Canada.
Mark IV 820
Paved With Good Intentions
The Texas Department of
Industrial Park Mercantile
Transportation has approved funding
820
Center
to widen I-35 from downtown Fort
Worth to near Alliance Airport. That
Carter 20
initiative is part of the North Tarrant Industrial Park 35W

Express roadway project, designed to
improve the I-820 and Airport
Freeway corridor. Both initiatives will
Carter Distribution Center
ultimately improve traffic flow in the
region, and are part of $3.3 billion in
highway projects under way in that AllianceTexas/alliancetexas.com Fossil Creek
section of Tarrant County. Primary Uses: Office, Manufacturing, Primary Uses: Office,
The region’s road, rail and air Distribution, Retail & Service Manufacturing, Distribution,
facilities make Fort Worth a draw for Tenants: 243 Acres: 17,000 Retail & Service
logistics and distribution businesses, Has Foreign Trade Zone Tenants: 50+ Acres: 1,150
Beechwood Has Foreign Trade Zone
many of them located in one of nine
major industrial parks. Primary Uses: Retail Mark IV Industrial Park
The Mercantile Center, for example, Tenants: 2 Primary Uses:
is a 1,500-acre master-planned office Acres: 902 Manufacturing & Distribution
Carter Distribution Center Tenants: 100+ Acres: 1,000
and industrial development at I-35 and
Loop 820. A number of logistics and Primary Uses: Mercantile Center/
distribution businesses including DHL Light Manufacturing & mercantilecenter.com
Express and National Logistics are Bulk Distribution Primary Uses:
Tenants: 1 Office, Distribution,
located at Mercantile Center. (Fort Worth’s newest industrial park) Retail & Service
Carter Industrial Park, which Acres: 800 Tenants: 30+ Acres: 1,500
opened in 1962, is home to operations Has Foreign Trade Zone
for several major companies, many of Carter Industrial Park/carterpark.com
Primary Uses: Railhead Industrial Park
them in the food and beverage sector,
Manufacturing & Distribution Primary Uses: Distribution
including MillerCoors, Budweiser, Mrs. Tenants: 30+ Tenants: 11 Acres: 633
Baird’s Bakeries, Ben E. Keith Foods Acres: 950 Has Foreign Trade Zone
and Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee. The
park’s location at I-35 and I-20 makes CentrePort Business Park/ Riverbend Business Park
campusatcentreport.com Primary Uses:
it appealing as a distribution location. Primary Uses: Office, Office, Distribution,
Distribution, Retail & Service Retail & Service
Left: Interstates 30 and 35 intersect Tenants: 100+ Acres: 1,300 Tenants: 275 Acres: 97
in downtown Fort Worth. Has Foreign Trade Zone Has Foreign Trade Zone

Fort Worth Alliance Airport Ph o t o b y D e bra H a l e , c o u r t e s y o f H i l lw o o d D e v e l o p m e n t C o , LLC
Form an Alliance family residences. “We’re only about income tax, where there is a strong
A signature development not one-third done and still have another workforce, a strong transportation
just for Fort Worth but the entire 60 million to 70 million square feet system and a beautiful quality of life.
Metroplex is AllianceTexas, a 17,000- of land to build on,” Perot says. The Fort Worth/North Texas region
acre master-planned community that At the heart of Alliance is the inland is logistically a great place to be.”
is the vision of real estate developer port known as the Alliance Global
Hillwood – A Perot Company. Logistics Hub, which includes a
Alliance, which includes office, Foreign Trade Zone, two Class I rail
carriers, BNSF’s Alliance Intermodal
clear for takeoff
industrial, commercial, retail and
residential components, has generated Facility and Alliance Airport, billed as Along with DFW
more than $7.2 billion in investment the world’s only industrial airport. The International and Alliance
and an economic impact of more than airport is owned by the city of Fort Airport, the Fort Worth
$38 billion since its 1990 opening. Worth and managed by Alliance Air region is also served by
Hillwood Chairman Ross Perot Jr. Services. “Our first major project was Meacham International and
points out that Alliance has been to build Alliance Airport after Fort Spinks airports. Meacham
successful because its location in the Worth asked if we would donate land International, which handles
bustling North Texas marketplace, for an airport. It opened in 1989, and corporate and general aviation
one of the fastest-growing regions in I think Alliance Airport is the most flights, includes four full-
successful public-private partnership
the United States. A total of 1 million service fixed-base operators,
in the nation today,” Perot says.
people are being added to the North three maintenance facilities
Alliance Airport handles only
Texas population every seven years. cargo, and its grounds make up the and six flight schools. Spinks
“In the mid-1980s, we saw a great busiest Foreign Trade Zone in the Airport, which opened in
opportunity to develop the region United States. 1988, is a general aviation
northwest of DFW Airport because “North Texas has become the reliever airport for DFW
it was really the last large piece of demographic center of North America,” and includes a full-service
undeveloped land in North Texas,” Perot says. “If you look at all of North fixed-base operator, multiple
Perot says. America as a trading block, you maintenance facilities and
Alliance is home to more than certainly would want to have your three flight schools. For more
250 companies, 28,000 employees, company located in North Texas. on Fort Worth’s airports, go to
more than 31 million square feet We’re in the middle of the country www.fortworthgov.org/aviation.
of developed space and 7,400 single- in a pro-growth state with no state
Ross Perot Jr.: ‘Fort Worth is
a Great City With Great Leaders’
Ross Perot Jr. to come here. We also have the land
Chairman for two or three more mega-deals
Hillwood for huge companies that want to
In addition to serving as settle here.
chairman of Hillwood, one of the
What would you tell a company
top real estate developers in the
that is considering investing in
United States, Ross Perot Jr. also
Fort Worth and North Texas?
is chairman of The Perot Group,
The biggest economic advantage
which manages many of the for a company settling in North Texas
family’s real estate, energy and is just that – you’re in the state of
financial investments. Perot was Texas. Fort Worth and North Texas
a founder of global technology are in the middle of the country in
company Perot Systems Corp. and a pro-growth state with no state
served as chairman of its board income tax, where there
from 2004 until the company was is a strong workforce and a nice
acquired by Dell Inc. in 2009. He quality of life. Fort Worth is a great
is a 1981 graduate of Vanderbilt city with great leaders.
University in Nashville and a – Kevin Litwin
former U.S. Air Force pilot.
Since 1990, Alliance has

generated a total economic
impact of more than $38.5
1905 Windsor Pl.
billion. What do you see as
Fort Worth, TX 76110
the project’s most significant
accomplishment? (817) 926-2067
Back in the mid-1980s when www.contiwarehouses.com
Hillwood was starting to roll, Fort
Worth/Tarrant County was the No. 1
job-loss region in the United States
because of our area’s defense The principals at Conti Warehouses have been involved in Fort
industry slowdowns and layoffs Worth Commercial Real Estate for over 20 years. Our company
due to the end of the Cold War. offers businesses the chance to grow with us, and we seek to
As Alliance has evolved, we have develop long-term relationships with our tenants.
used mostly private dollars to
develop and build it – at a 17-1 Our holdings consist of over 1.5 million square feet giving us the
ratio to public dollars – and the resources to meet the space requirements for any business. We
direct economic impact to the can provide tenants with office/warehouse options from 2,500
region has been about $19 billion. square feet to well over 100,000 square feet at a time.
Why should a company choose Conti Warehouses is a local Fort Worth company and employs
to locate in Alliance? its own in-house construction team, maintenance supervisors,
Leading to and from the and leasing professionals in an effort to provide the highest
development are great roads, quality of service to our tenants, with the fastest response times.
great rail and a great airport,
plus there are nine different fiber
Please visit us online to explore our
optic providers to Alliance. All the
available properties! We look forward
incentives are in place to bring
to growing with you and your company.
companies to Alliance, and we still
have plenty of room for companies

Energy/Technology
Breakthroughs Born Here

Fort Worth cultivates innovation through hands-on assistance
Story by Betsy Williams • Photography by Jeff Adkins
B
uilding on its cluster of higher an iPad application called Tuneville. TECH Fort Worth Partners
education institutions, diverse With UNT, City, Businesses
workforce and superior quality Precision Songs Helps TECH Fort Worth, a public-private
of life, Fort Worth has cultivated Autistic Children partnership between the University of
a climate of entrepreneurial As Arlyn Kantz explains, Precision North Texas Health Science Center at
achievement and growth, thanks Songs was born out of necessity – and Fort Worth, the city and the business
to focused efforts provided through love – to help their own son, Willson, community, offers assistance to
resources such as TECH Fort Worth and who is autistic. technology-based entrepreneurs,
the city’s Business Assistance Center. “TECH Fort Worth gave us the ranging from three-month workshop
The help Arlyn and Will Kantz resources and the moral support we programs that help determine idea
received aided them in launching needed to know what direction we feasibility to full-time incubation
their Fort Worth-based developmental needed to take, and even had an intern programs that include specialized
learning company, Precision Songs. help adapt one of our grant proposals space, says Brent Sorrells, operations
The firm encourages the learning into a submission to publishers,” she manager for the center.
potential of special-needs children says. “They have always been available “As clients move into the more
and has resulted in the creation of to answer questions and have stayed intensive programs, the requirements
engaged with us, even when we were are more strict, and all must have a
no longer active clients.” new technology they are bringing to
The couple, with partners Chris market,” he says. “We have designed
Goals of TECH and Erica Flynn, received the TECH the program so we can work with five
Fort Worth Fort Worth Impact Award in 2009 to six early-stage companies at a time
TECH Fort Worth (techfortworth.org) for creating a music curriculum in the incubation workshop or one-on-
continues its mission of encouraging that can unblock the autism one with startup companies in the
entrepreneurs in getting their products communications barrier. Acceleration program.”
to market by: “Regarding the iPad process, if The center assists entrepreneurs
• Giving new companies solid roots it weren’t for that TECH Fort Worth in developing business models and
• Creating the right environment for Impact Awards event, we would not product development, Sorrells says.
technology-based entrepreneurs have met the professionals that sent “Most of our Acceleration clients are
• Building a strong reputation us down this path,” Kantz says. in the product development phase, and
for success
• Achieving sustainability
Right: The new 234,000-square-foot Engineering Research Building at UT-Arlington
includes state-of-the art, multidisciplinary laboratory space, classrooms and offices.
we try to help them attract investors to started in 2008 and moved to Fort need help in launching their product,”
get their product to market,” he adds. Worth in 2009, where it has grown to Sorrells says.
“Our clients are from a broad spectrum eight employees. Currently working The city’s Business Assistance
of industries; several are medical device with the University of North Texas on Center, comprised of 12 service
or pharmaceutical companies, and pre-clinical studies and clinical studies providers, offers services to
they must be in this effort full time.” in humans, the company received a startups and growing small
$2 million award from the Texas businesses, including educational
ZS Pharma Receives TET Grant Emerging Technology Fund in 2010. workshops, business counseling,
ZS Pharma, an Acceleration client “That type of success helps foster business plan advice, counseling
developing products to treat high interest from other technology-based on financing options and
levels of potassium in the blood, was entrepreneurs who have the ideas but market research help.
Engine for Innovation

UT-Arlington boosts research status with state-of-the-art engineering building
With a new $126 million Engineering Research Building and dollars. The university’s biggest new structure since
that opened in January, the faculty at the University of its 128,000-square-foot chemistry and physics building
Texas at Arlington’s College of Engineering are hoping to opened in 2006, the research center will add visibility to
turn ideas into dollars. The 234,000-square-foot building, innovation taking place in UTA’s Engineering and Science
which features state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary labs and College, both of which are rising in enrollment.
classrooms, new offices, support areas and conference The research center is designed with collaborative
rooms, expands research space for both science and spaces to encourage students to brainstorm and develop
engineering programs, and will bring computer science fundable ideas that could potentially turn into startup
and biomedical engineering students as well as ventures. It also incorporates energy-saving features,
chemistry, biology, physics, math and genomics majors such as green and light-reflecting roofs, window designs
together under one roof to collaborate and innovate. for improved use of natural light, rainwater capture and
University officials hope that the building will boost storage for landscaping, use of local recycled materials,
UT-Arlington’s efforts to achieve status as a Tier 1 and other touches that will allow the facility to meet LEED
research institute – recognition that could not only draw (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver-
more students but also attract more research contracts certification requirements. – Emily McMackin

Health
Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f STEVE H INDS / B AYLO R H E A LT H MEDI A
A Healthy Outlook
City’s medical cluster offers the latest in treatment, technology
Story by Melanie Hill • Photography by Jeff Adkins
D
owntown Fort Worth is a hub for health care and executive officer of JPS Health Network.
medical research. The city’s south side medical As both a teaching and a public hospital, JPS boasts a
district employs more than 30,000 people through vibrant residency program. The system also has implemented
a healthy mix of medical clinics, major medical centers electronic medical records, ensuring that patients receive
and the University of North Texas Health Science Center. consistent, quality care, regardless of which JPS site they visit.
With more than 40 locations throughout Tarrant County, Another major provider of care is Baylor All Saints Medical
JPS Health Network has the county’s only Level I trauma Center, which has been taking care of medical issues both
center, John Peter Smith Hospital. The department receives major and minor for more than 100 years. The 537-bed
approximately 95,000 visits each year. hospital has spent more than $300 million on upgraded
“Any level of emergency care patients might need is at facilities and services, including research and community
this facility,” says Robert Earley, president and chief service programs in education and screenings.
Above: Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth
Cook Children’s Medical Center to deliver a freezing coolant instead of heat, Fort Worth
Advancements are made daily at Cook significantly reducing the risk of damage
Children’s Medical Center, where a $250 around the heart. Hospitals:
million expansion is under way. Additions “Our heart center has redefined the landscape • Baylor All Saints
include a 106-bed, all single-room neonatal of Texas Health Fort Worth and cardiovascular Medical Center
at Fort Worth
ICU set to open in 2011 and the $20 million care in Tarrant County,” says Senior Vice
pediatric cancer center expected in 2012. President Lillie Biggins, RN, MSN, FACHE. • Baylor Medical Center
at Southwest Fort Worth
“The expansion will meet the needs of
our families, physicians, nurses and staff, University of North Texas • Cook Children’s
Health Science Center Medical Center
and allow us to care for more children in the
community,” says Rick Merrill, president and Cutting-edge technology is no stranger in • GlobalRehab
CEO of not-for-profit Cook Children’s Health Fort Worth, where the University of North • HCA North Texas/
Care System. Texas Health Science Center operates The Plaza Medical Center
Department of Forensic and Investigative of Fort Worth
The hospital’s signature Pediatric
Neurosciences program includes biofeedback, Genetics. The program is the academic • Healthsouth
component of the school’s Center for Human Rehabilitation
pediatric deep brain simulation, and a Hospital of Fort Worth
comprehensive epilepsy program and Identification, which provides genetic analysis
and database services for a variety of • Huguley Memorial
specialized unit. Cook Children’s also boasts Medical Center
one of the largest pediatric transport programs governmental entities. In 2014, the UNT
in the nation. Health Science Center plans to add an MD • John Peter Smith Hospital
Across Sixth Street from Cook is Texas program, an independent fifth school that will • Kindred Hospital
Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, join the Texas College of Osteopathic Fort Worth Southwest
a regional referral center owned by nonprofit Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical • LifeCare Hospitals
Texas Health Resources System. The hospital Sciences, School of Public Health and School of of Fort Worth
has received Magnet designation by the Health Professions. • Texas Health Harris
American Nurses Credentialing Center – a “Fort Worth’s medical district truly maintains Methodist Hospital
sign of nursing excellence given to less than 6 a sense of community,” says Earley, who works Fort Worth
percent of hospitals nationwide. The hospital closely with physicians, administrators and • Texas Health Harris
also is recognized for its cardiac services, and researchers from nearby facilities. “There’s Methodist Hospital
was among the first to offer patients “cold” a huge advantage to being located so close to Southwest Fort Worth
technology to treat atrial fibrillation. Arctic each other, and it also means we have to be • USMD Hospital
Front ® Cryoablation is a minimally invasive good at what we do, because patients can at Fort Worth
procedure that uses a balloon catheter system easily go to another system.”

Education
Business Partners
Region’s colleges and universities build workforce muscle
F
ort Worth has a deep pool
of skilled and knowledgeable
workers, owed in great measure
to the region’s nucleus of quality
higher education institutions, which
have a combined enrollment of more
than 324,000 students.
The 30,000 students who
graduate each year from the region’s
colleges and universities are a major
draw to businesses that need
access to a work-ready labor pool,
and those higher learning institutions
actively participate in helping
place those qualified workers
at Fort Worth employers.
In addition, colleges and
universities are partners in promoting
economic development, providing
everything from workforce training
programs to research to resources
that assist entrepreneurial companies.
Training New Hires
Tarrant County College won a 2010
Community Partner Award for its work
with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant
County. TCC works closely with
Workforce Solutions on a variety of
training programs, including providing
students with skills training needed
for jobs in “hot” industries, such as
logistics and transportation, advanced
manufacturing and hospitality.
Antony Boshier
“Workforce Solutions is responsible
Tarrant County College in Forth Worth

for overseeing nearly $55 million in “Be a Fort Worth Maverick,” and its Entrepreneurship Center was named the
employment and training dollars to goal is to find innovative ways to 2011 National Model Undergraduate
benefit businesses and citizens in increase revenue and decrease Entrepreneurship Program by the
Tarrant County,” says Troy Vaughn, expenses for local businesses. United States Association for Small
Tarrant County College’s vice chancellor Institute officials point out that Business and Entrepreneurship.
for continuing education services. they set up proven programs that can “Our approach to entrepreneurship
“They often turn to TCC to develop accelerate the success and bottom line begins with helping students identify
training that helps provide cost- of a startup company or established and develop their individual talents
effective ways for companies to train company. The Professional and core virtues, then put them into
incumbent and newly hired employees.” Development programs are taught action to accomplish entrepreneurial
Tarrant County College also partners by leading academic experts and endeavors,” says Keith Hmieleski, TCU
often with local municipal and economic experienced industry practitioners, professor and Neeley Entrepreneurship
development officials to make sure and officials point out that participants Program director. “This enables
graduates have a direct pipeline into leave the training sessions with our students to focus on their
the local and regional workforce. business and leadership improvement strengths in a way that enhances
plans that can be implemented the engagement in the learning process,
Improving Your Business minute they return to work. and allows them to function with an
The University of Texas at Arlington’s economy of means. In the end, it is
Fort Worth Center assists the region’s BrainStorming Entrepreneurs our hope to place each of our students
business community through programs Texas Christian University is also on a path toward a career and life
such as the Institute for Professional heavily involved with the region’s of meaning. We believe that sets
Development. The Institute’s slogan is business community, and its Neeley us apart.”
Colleges and
Universities
in Fort Worth
• Columbia College
ccis.edu/nationwide
• Concordia University
Texas-Fort Worth
Canter concordia.edu
• Everest College
everest-college.com
• Remington College
remingtoncollege.edu
• Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary
www.swbts.edu
• Tarleton State University
Fort Worth campus
tarleton.edu/fortworth
• Tarrant County College
www.tccd.edu
• The Art Institute
of Fort Worth
www.artinstitutes.edu
• Texas Christian
University
www.tcu.edu
• Texas Wesleyan
University
www.txwes.edu
• UNT Health Science
Center at Fort Worth
www.hsc.unt.edu
• University of Texas at
Arlington/Fort Worth
www.uta.edu/fortworth
Students at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth p h o t o b y j e ff A d k i n s
Are You Ready, Students?
new Tarrant county College campus opens in fall 2011
And we christen you: Trinity River chancellor. “We expect our new river bluff just east of the Tarrant
East Campus. campus to be a main part of County Courthouse.
Tarrant County College will the downtown landscape.” The new campus will allow allied
officially open its sixth and newest health students to achieve about 50
campus in August 2011, in time for Built Into a River Bluff percent of their clinical experience
the 2011-2012 school year. The The $200 million campus is in the on-site hospital setting.
campus will focus primarily on being situated near a sunken plaza Students will also be able to earn
health-care training, with students between Belknap and Weatherford certification in areas such as health
studying course programs in streets, and a walkway will link the information technology, as well as
nursing, radiology, sonography plaza to Trinity River. Buildings have long term care administration.
and respiratory care. actually been constructed into a – Kevin Litwin
Complete With Mannequins

Classrooms will feature
21st-century technology and
will resemble hospitals complete
with lifelike mannequins so
students can gain a full spectrum
of clinical skills. The Tarrant
County College nursing program
is currently headquartered at the
TCC South Campus, and all allied
health programs will move to
Trinity River East by August 2011.
College leaders say the complex
will add to downtown Fort Worth’s
features while creating a training
facility to help meet the growing
need for health professionals.
“Approximately one in every
19 Tarrant County residents
takes a class at TCC each year,”
says Erma Johnson Hadley,

What’s Online
For more about what makes Fort Worth
such a livable community, go to
Livability
Where Life
is Good
Fort Worth creates a vibrant,
diverse and affordable community
Story by Kevin Litwin • Photography by Jeff Adkins
F
rom its vibrant downtown to its Downtown Fort Worth in 2011 is
diverse neighborhoods to its alive not only for business, but as a
cultural showpieces, Fort Worth bustling residential neighborhood and
is modern, eclectic – and affordable. entertainment hub. Meanwhile, an
The city has blended the traditional extensive greenway and parks system
and the modern with gleaming new is in place throughout Fort Worth, and
buildings that are intermixed with there is a bold plan on the drawing
art deco architecture masterpieces. board for development along the
Revitalized neighborhoods such as Trinity River.
Near Southside and the West Seventh
Street corridor are magnets for Worth Bragging About
artisans and young professionals, and Stacy Landreth Grau is originally
have created individual urban villages from Louisiana and lived in
with unique shops, restaurants, and Philadelphia for several years
arts and entertainment venues. before moving to Fort Worth in 2010.
Stores and restaurants line the streets of Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth.

“There’s a lot about Fort Worth
that I like, including both of the
schools where our young daughters
are enrolled,” says Landreth Grau,
associate professor of professional
practice at Texas Christian University.
“As for attractions, my husband,
George, and I have already taken
the kids a couple times to the IMAX
Theater at the Fort Worth Museum of
Science and History. My husband and
I are homebodies now, but we like the
Fort Worth entertainment scene.”
Is That a Michelangelo?
Eric McCauley Lee left a job
as director of an art museum in
Cincinnati in 2009 to become the
director at Kimbell Art Museum.
The Kimbell is known not only for
its collection of works by masters
such as Picasso, Matisse and Cezanne
– it is also home to the first painting
by Michelangelo – but its stunning
design by famed architect Louis Kahn.
“The Kimbell is small in terms of
works in our permanent collection,
but every painting is a treasure,” Lee
says. “In a city this size, it is amazing
that Fort Worth not only has the
Kimbell but also the Amon Carter
Museum and the Modern Art Museum
of Fort Worth. All the pieces in those
three facilities are staggering to an art
lover like me.”
In just two years in Fort Worth,
Lee says he has come to enjoy the
great weather. He says the daylight
of Fort Worth puts him in a good
mood because it’s usually sunny
even in the dead of winter.
“Everything in this city is within
a 10-minute drive, and Dallas/Fort
Worth International Airport is also
nearby,” he says. “I also like the ‘can
do’ spirit in this city, and the best
years of Fort Worth are in its future –
not the past. There is a real optimism
in the people who live here, and I’m
proud to say that I am now a citizen
of Fort Worth.”
Top: Visitors explore the Powering Our

World exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum
of Science and History. Below: Kimbell
Art Museum in Fort Worth
Sportsmanlike Conduct
Region is a winner for fans of college, professional competition
Texas Christian University not the Dallas Vigilantes and Allen And besides TCU, the Metroplex
only has a unique name for its Wranglers of indoor football, is home to NCAA Division-I athletics
sports teams – the Horned Frogs baseball’s Fort Worth Cats and that feature teams from the
– but a growing reputation for Grand Prairie AirHogs, the Texas University of North Texas, Southern
on-field performance. TCU’s Legends and Dallas Impact in Methodist University and the
football team notched an basketball, and the Allen Americans University of Texas at Arlington.
undefeated 2010 regular and Texas Brahmas in hockey. – Kevin Litwin
season, followed up with a
victory over Wisconsin in the
Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day
2011. TCU will join the Big East
Conference beginning in 2012.
College sports are not the only
sports story in Fort Worth. Major
sporting events include NASCAR
and IndyCar Series races at Texas
Motor Speedway, and Fort Worth
also opens its arms each May to
the Crowne Plaza Invitational at
Colonial Country Club, considered
one of the most prestigious golf
tournaments on the PGA Tour
each year. Fort Worth also hosts
the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
Bowl college football game
each December.
Metroplex Mania
With its location in the heart
of the DFW Metroplex, Fort Worth
offers easy access to major
professional sports teams. The
Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and
Texas Rangers of Major League
Baseball play in Arlington in
Tarrant County, and the region
also includes the Dallas Mavericks
of the NBA, Dallas Stars of the
NHL and FC Dallas of Major
League Soccer.
Minor league teams that
call the Metroplex home include

6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM
economic profile
Business snapshot
Fort Worth is home to more than 16,300 companies, including six Fortune
Population (2010) 1000 companies. Because of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and
the AllianceTexas master-planned commercial airport, Fort Worth is
Fort Worth: 741,206
renowned as one of the nation’s most active inland ports. Fort Worth is
Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Division
home to numerous education and training institutions and more than
(Tarrant, Johnson, Parker
and Wise counties): 2.2 million 324,000 college and university students are enrolled in the DFW
Metroplex, annually graduating in excess of 30,000 students.
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA:
6.4 million
Fort Worth median age: 32 Major Employers Major Business
Notable AMR/American Airlines: 22,169
Sectors
Headquarters Texas Health Resources: 18,866
(By % of establishments)
in Fort Worth Lockheed Martin
Retail Trade: 28%
Aeronautics Co.: 14,988
Fort Worth Independent Services: 21.1%
Acme Brick
School District: 11,000 Finance Insurance
Alcon Laboratories & Real Estate: 9.9%
(U.S. HQ) Arlington Independent
School District: 8,126 Medical & Health: 7.1%
Allied Electronics
University of Texas Wholesale Trade: 6.1%
American Airlines at Arlington: 6,239
Construction: 5.9%
Bell Helicopter City of Fort Worth: 6,195
Ben E. Keith Manufacturing: 5.4%
JPS Health Network: 4,872
BNSF Railway Transportation & Utilities 3.1%
Cook Children’s
D.R. Horton Health Care System: 4,826 All other: 13.4%
Healthpoint Texas Health Harris Methodist
Justin Brands Fort Worth: 3,968 Housing
Chase Bank: 4,200
RadioShack
Tarrant County Government: 4,173 Estimated median
Pier 1 Imports
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: 3,820 housing value
Williamson-Dickie Mfg.
Keller Independent (2009): $121,700
School District: 3,492 Average housing price,
Cost of Living Alcon Laboratories: 3,299 detached home (2009): $155,128
(Fort Worth) Fidelity: 3,200 Median gross rent (2009): $805
Composite: 92.1 Civilian Labor Force Median Household

Grocery items: 90.7
Housing: 77.3 Fort Worth-Arlington: 1,077.0 Income (2009)
U.S. average=100 Dallas-Plano-Irving: 2,160.8
Source: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA: Fort Worth: $47,634
ACCRA Cost of Living Survey 3,237.8 Tarrant County: $53,757
visit our
advertisers
Conti Warehouses Jackson Walker LLP Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
www.contiwarehouses.com www.jw.com www.law.txwes.edu
Crowley Area Chamber of Commerce Lockheed Martin UNT Health Science Center
www.crowleyareachamber.org Aeronautics Company www.hsc.unt.edu
www.lockheedmartin.com
Fort Worth Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
Transportation Authority Omni American Bank www.workforcesolutions.net
www.the-t.com www.omniamerican.com
Worthington Renaissance
Hillwood Properties Residence Inn Marriott Fort Worth Hotel
www.alliancetexas.com www.residenceinn.com/dfwri www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dfwdt

Through the Lens
Get the Story Behind the Photo

Now that you’ve experienced the Fort Worth region through our photos, see it through the
eyes of our photographers. Visit fortwortheconomicdevelopmentguide.com to view our exclusive
photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
From Our Photo Blog:

Fort Worth Economic
Development Guide
During a recent trip to Fort Worth,
Texas, I was surprised to find several
world-class museums all within walking
distance of each other. And, by far, the
most impressive piece I shot at any
museum was the Torment of Saint
Anthony by Michelangelo Buonarroti,
which hangs on a wall at the Kimbell
Art Museum. This is the first – and only
– Michelangelo piece to enter an
American collection, and was painted
when he was around the age of 12.
Also within walking distance of the
Kimbell are the Amon Carter Museum
of American Art, which specializes in
art from the American West; and the
Fort Worth Museum of Science and
History, which has exhibits for the
whole family; and the Cowgirl Hall of
Fame Museum, honoring women of the
American West.
Posted by Jeff Adkins
More Online
See more favorite photos and read
the stories behind the shots at
Courtyard at the Fort DinoLabs Dinosaur exhibit

Worth Museum of at the Fort Worth Museum
Science and History of Science and History
Ad Index
33 Conti Warehouses
3 Crowley Area Chamber of Commerce
4 Fort Worth Transportation Authority
C2 Hillwood Properties
C4 Jackson Walker LLP
C3 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
12 Omni American Bank
25 Residence Inn Marriott
21 Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
38 UNT Health Science Center
41 Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
46 Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel

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Sponsored by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce | 2011

The Sky’s No Limit 22

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DO MORE THAN JUST

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Fort Worth: The Texas Success

result of decades of planning by local

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 5

here’s the spot

Their Money’s Worth

Mr. Hogan Played Here Emphasis

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 7

Fasten Your Seat belts

Alliance is a 17,000-acre mixed-use development on

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 9

Story by Katie Kuehner-Hebert

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 11

‘This is a Top-Tier Business Center’

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 13

Story by Melanie Hill

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 15

The University of North Texas Health

Science Center (left) includes research

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 17

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 19

RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas Inc.

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 21

Story by Heather Johnston Johnson

retail and residential development. Fort Worth headquarters and other

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 23

Residence Inn by Marriott ®

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 25

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 27

animals in 12 permanent exhibit areas. that grace the Grand Facade.

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 29

initiative is part of the North Tarrant Industrial Park 35W

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 31

Since 1990, Alliance has

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 33

Breakthroughs Born Here

Story by Betsy Williams • Photography by Jeff Adkins

Engine for Innovation

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 35

Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f STEVE H INDS / B AYLO R H E A LT H MEDI A

Story by Melanie Hill • Photography by Jeff Adkins

Above: Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth

fo r two r t h e cono m i c d e v e lop m e ntg u i d e . co m 37

Story by Kevin Litwin