The Fort Worth Chamberletter

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group
Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

1. Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and Ed Bass, developer of Sundance Square, announced ESPN chose Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth as its production headquarters for Super Bowl XLV. This entails more than 80 hours of live ESPN national and local radio broadcasts. Fort Worth Business Press, July 26, 2010
   
2. The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, near the Chisholm Trail parking lot where the network will set up its broadcast pavilion, learned Tuesday that NFL assigned 75 rooms in the hotel to ESPN for the peak Super Bowl period…And the NFL may assign more rooms in the Worthington to ESPN…The hotel also learned that the NFL assigned a 200-room block in the 504-room Worthington to another group, which Gabler did not identify. Star-Telegram, July 22, 2010
   
3. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth has been awarded a $522.2 million Navy contract to order and make advance purchases of materials and components required for the production of 42 F-35-joint strike fighter jets that the government expects to order in 2011. Star-Telegram, July 7, 2010
   
4. Hillwood Construction Services has been issued building permits to add about 190,000 square feet to the 670,000 square-foot distribution center at Henrietta Creek Road and Independence Parkway. Star-Telegram, July 26, 2010
   
5. The Kimbell Art Foundation will sell $60.4 million in bonds to help fund construction of the Renzo Piano-designed expansion of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. Star-Telegram, July 13, 2010

Click here to see many more moves, deals and expansions.

Some Chamber members may be asking “Who moved my cheese?” when looking for their Small Business professional and personal development programs.  But as the best-selling book of that title declares, “movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.”

The Chamber’s Minding Your Business and Lunch & Learn programs for small businesses have been combined into one series called “Impact Your Business,” which will include breakfast, lunch and happy hour networking events. Presenting sponsor of the series is Sandler Training; platinum sponsor is Charter Business.

Because small businesses comprise about 90 percent of the Chamber’s membership, this segment is critical to our organization and to our local economy.  So members of the Chamber’s Small Business Council (SBC) Committee have re-invigorated the group’s programs.

The committee, chaired by Ray Dickerson, Fort Worth market president of American National Bank of Texas, includes past Small Business of the Year winners, sponsors, regular attendees to SBC programs and some “new blood” that had not been previously engaged.

“This committee is made up of a diverse group of businesses that are a great representation of the overall demographics of the chamber, so we can be most effective,” said Scott Sherwin, president of Sandler Training. “The council focused on topics that would benefit small businesses, putting them as the primary focus and including sessions that are pertinent to them today.”

Lydia Hall, the Chamber’s senior director of business services, pointed out a need to expand the program to a broader membership audience.

“Previously, we had good programming and the participation was steady, but we had a lot of no-shows that would prohibit other members from attending,” she said.  “With the changes, we’ve gone from about 40 to 50 attendees to sold-out luncheons with 100 attendees.”

Hall began the SBC program revamp with a survey of member small businesses with 150 employees or fewer.  Questions about time of day, value and quality of the programs, and desired topics yielded data for staff and the committee to base decisions. The committee focused on topics and speakers, while staff researched affordable venues conducive to networking, learning, ease of parking and other factors.

“I am really excited about some of the changes the committee has made for this year,” said Pepper Hudson, owner of Pepper-L-Specialties. “Reducing the length of time of the morning meetings, starting them earlier and allowing time before the meeting for networking will be a great benefit. It will allow us to be back in the office a little after 9 a.m. to start the day.”

Next up, the SBC committee will look at continuous improvement of the Small Business of the Year award program and encourage more businesses to nominate or apply for the recognition.

“Winning Small Business of the Year has been the biggest boost to Alexander Chandler Realty than anything else we have done,” said Alexander Chandler, president of Alexander Chandler Realty. “The recognition has been nothing short of phenomenal and I encourage anyone who is a member to apply and nominate your peers.”

A schedule of the year’s programs is here. Please contact Lydia Hall with suggestions or comments.

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group
Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

The Brenham-based dairy and ice cream maker [Blue Bell] recently bought 2,288 acres at 9351 Harmon Road, near Interstate 35W and US 287, where it plans a 12,000 square-foot distribution center, its first expansion in Fort Worth since 1981.
Star-Telegram, June 28, 2010

The Cowboys leased 1,126 square feet at 310 Main St., where the team plans to open a pro shop in time for the first preseason game Aug.12.
Star-Telegram, June 17, 2010

Board members [of the Tarrant Regional Water District] announced the decision to purchase 42 acres just north of the Trinity River and downtown Fort Worth for $17.5 million. The land was part of Cats owner Carl Bell’s 60-acre portfolio surrounding LaGrave Field, which is home to the minor league Cats baseball team.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 15, 2010

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced Monday that it is launching a pilot program in Fort Worth and San Antonio to amplify some words of parental wisdom: Go to college…The initial two years of Generation TX is funded by a $3 million federal College Access Challenge Grant.
Star-Telegram, June 8, 2010

Texas Christian University exceeded a $250 million fundraising goal two years before the campaign’s 2012 conclusion…
Star-Telegram, June 23, 2010

A bilateral trade partnership between Fort Worth, Germany’s Free State of Lower Saxony and its capital, Hannover, is taking shape in moves that may pay off within a year.

“Our goal is to have Fort Worth companies doing business with Germany by 2011,” said David Berzina, the Chamber’s executive vice president of Economic Development. “Germany is the No. 1 economy in the European Union. They have a history of producing quality product,” and their businesses and industries match up well with Fort Worth’s.

There’s also interest in expanding trade relationships between Fort Worth and cities in China, Berzina said.

China

In early May, representatives from the Chamber and the City’s Economic Development Department joined a six-day Fort Worth Sister Cities trip to Zhaoqing, China, just northeast of Hong Kong — a “small town” with a population of more than 4 million.

They also visited the modern, industrial “forest city” of Guiyang, population around 4 million, more than 400 miles farther northeast in the Guizhou Province. Guiyang’s green mountainous setting makes it one of China’s top tourist destinations.

Both cities were finalists to become Fort Worth’s eighth sister city. Guiyang won the recommendation.

Chamber Research Manager Lacy Kreger posted daily blog descriptions of developments as the delegation explored each city’s rich cultural and education strengths and business possibilities with help from Fort Worth executive Walter Chaing, CEO of CP&Y engineering consulting firm, who served as translator and advisor.

Germany

In Lower Saxony and its capital city of Hannover, the June 21-25 trade mission established numerous relationships that are opening a path to bilateral trade.

Berzina and Melonye Whitson, the Chamber’s director of Local Business Development, met with business, industry and university representatives who are key players in the state’s recovery from global recession-related challenges.

Ulrich Hartmann, a Hannover native who holds a B.A. and MBA from Texas Christian University and who considers Fort Worth as his second hometown, began discussion with the Chamber last year about the trade mission.

Hartmann supports and facilitates business development for key businesses in Hannover Region and Lower Saxony – a role that involves monthly trips to Fort Worth for meetings with business and industry leaders here.

“I have always been interested in seeing a business exchange between Fort Worth and Hannover Region since my days at TCU business school,” Hartmann said. “The dominant industry sectors in Fort Worth and Hannover Region are complementary: production technology, logistics, energy solutions, IT and communications technology.”

Whitson reported on the trade mission with daily blog posts on the Chamber website, including sessions with Deutsche Messe, which manages Hannover’s 11-million-square-foot, 27-hall convention complex, the world’s largest and home of CeBIT, the world’s largest computer trade show, and Hannover Fair, the world’s largest industrial show.

At every meeting, Chamber representatives “were enthusiastically welcomed, and the conversations were positive and productive,” Hartmann said. “We are encouraged.”

Deutsche Messe will share its massive database of participants with the Chamber and will assist with other details as Kreger, Whitson and Berzina refine matchups between businesses and industries here and in Lower Saxony and Hannover.

Hartmann will bring a trade delegation from Hannover and Lower Saxony to Fort Worth October 26. Part of the mission will include sessions on Texas accounting rules, laws, banking and real estate.

The Chamber is weighing a trade exchange in the spring of 2011, Berzina said, and is considering how to communicate with members who may want to participate in the 2011 CeBIT in March and Hannover Fair in April.

“You’ll see us get behind an awareness campaign with Germany,” he said, while searching for additional domestic and international business. “We’re out there looking for opportunity.”

###

Trade Mission details, Oct. 24-28

Hannover economic report.

Lower Saxony state profile.

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group
Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

The Lego brand continues to build in Tarrant County as LEGO Systems Inc. has announced an expansion of its North American Distribution Center at Alliance Global Logistics Hub by nearly 200,000 square feet.
Fort Worth Business Press, May 24, 2010

The nearly century-old Ranch Style Beans plant off East Lancaster Avenue may soon become a vegetable canning operation for Arkansas-based Allens Canning Co., which could employ more than 100 workers at the idled facility. Allens…is under contract to buy the 200,000-square-foot building and its 20-acre site near U.S. 287.
Star-Telegram, May 5, 2010

LG Electronics has consolidated its cell phone repair business to its facility at Alliance in Fort Worth, adding 65 full-time employees and more than 65,000 square feet.
Dallas Business Journal, May 4, 2010

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $325,485,969 federal contract by the U.S. Air Force’s 312th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for the development, integration and delivery of 35 mid-life upgrade kits for the Foreign Military Sales Pakistan Block 15 F-16A/B aircraft; and 18 retrofit kits for the Block 52 F-16C/D aircraft.
Targeted News Service, May 23, 2010

Public accounting firm Weaver [of Fort Worth] announced May 21 it has expanded into the Midland/Odessa market with the acquisition of Elms, Faris & Co. LLP.
Star-Telegram, May 21, 2010

More links:

• View the full list of Economic Updates online.

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group
Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth received a $569 million Air Force contract for modifications, upgrades and other work on the F-22 Raptor fighter jet program in 2010.
Star-Telegram, Mar. 3, 2010

Wayne Davis and David Disiere of DADI, LLC announced the acquisition of TUSCANY, the leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles, including luxury vans, personal use mobility vans, hotel shuttle vans, and specialty trucks. The company will continue operations in Elkhart, Indiana with headquarters and product development located in Fort Worth, Texas.
PR Newswire, Mar. 29, 2010

Fort Worth-based Galderma Laboratories has won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the first-ever lotion version of its popular acne treatment, Differin, it announced Monday.
Star-Telegram, Mar. 23, 2010

Mouser Electronics, a Mansfield-based retailer, recently bought 18.9 acres adjacent to its facilities off North Main Street.
Star-Telegram, Mar. 8, 2010

Fifteen-year Sundance Square mainstay 8.0 Bar has extended its lease for five years and will erect a sloping semitransparent membrane canopy over its outdoor tables and stage.
Star-Telegram, Mar. 11, 2010

More links:

• View the full list of Economic Updates online.

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group
Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

Construction of a huge shopping center at the site of the former Masonic Home and School in southeast Fort Worth is scheduled to begin in April, developers said Monday…The 400,000-square-foot Renaissance Square, set to open in late 2011, will bring much-needed retail services to the area. TendersInfo, Feb. 25, 2010

Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer, traveling from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, received a $4 million award and Fort Worth’s Trinity Rail Express was awarded $7 million to improve commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas. Both of the Texas grant awards directly impact existing passenger rail in the state, allowing existing lines to travel at higher speeds or avoid congestion. States News Service, Feb. 25, 2010

Initial construction on improvements to Will Rogers Memorial Center, which are expected to bring more public events and economic impact to Fort Worth, will begin in March. The upgrades at Will Rogers include new equestrian facilities, such as horse stalls and warm-up areas, parking and overall maintenance projects such as sidewalk and seating improvements, and bathroom renovations. Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 1, 2010

Fort Worth-based TTI Inc. announced Feb. 26 it has acquired United Kingdom-based Flightspares Electronics Ltd., a specialty distributor of interconnect products for the railway and military/aerospace market segments. Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 26, 2010

Fort Worth-based Bell Helicopter announced Feb. 26 the acquisition of Aviation Service, a modifications and upgrades providers of avionics and special mission packages. Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 26, 2010

More links:

• View the full list of Economic Updates online.

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group

Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

The JPS Health Network announced that it has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center, the only such center in Tarrant County and the highest designation for a trauma center. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, JPS is recognized as having services that can meet almost every emergency and trauma need. The services also meet criteria regarding capabilities and institutional performance.

Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 7, 2010

The Tarrant County Regional Water District has received $101.6 million in financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board to help with the design and planning of a 179-mile pipeline that will bring more water from East Texas to the Metroplex.

Star-Telegram, Jan. 28, 2010

Residents in the Alliance area in far north Fort Worth will be getting a new hospital close to home in late 2011. Texas Health Resources plans to build a full-service hospital off Golden Triangle Boulevard, east of Interstate 35W.

Star-Telegram, Jan. 7, 2010

A deal approved Thursday all but assures that the proposed Southwest Parkway toll road in Fort Worth will be under construction later this year. The Texas Transportation Commission agreed to use the state’s gas taxes as collateral on two projects being developed jointly – Southwest Parkway and Texas 161 in Grand Prairie – even though those projects are toll roads.

Star-Telegram, Jan. 29, 2010

In Texas, where Guidepoint operates its technology, product development, call center and consumer service operations, the company will be moving into a new facility just west of downtown Fort Worth in February 2010. The new 8,800-square foot facility more than doubles the company’s capacity, with 75 call-center seats, a lab and vehicle work area, dedicated training facilities and product development offices.

TendersInfo, Jan. 22, 2010

More links:

• View the full list of Economic Updates online.

Many chambers of commerce across the United States depend on government funding to underwrite their economic development arms – complex operations with heavy, wide-ranging responsibilities.

But a different model fuels the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development department — a brawny arm, as it must be to compete on an international level, that’s supported privately by the business community through one means: the Controlling Our Destiny fund.

“The Controlling Our Destiny Fund is a critical part of the chamber’s efforts to attract and retain companies and jobs in Fort Worth and is a foundation piece of the city’s overall economic development program,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties. He and Danny Smith, chairman of Chase Fort Worth, co-chair the Chamber’s COD Campaign.

“In part due to this fund, Fort Worth has become one of the best cities in the country to do business and subsequently one of the best places in the country to live,” Berry said. “Our ability to attract companies such as Q-Edge, which brought 500 jobs at Alliance last year, has a ripple effect on businesses of all sizes.”

During a difficult economy last year, 132 Chamber members contributed $1.1 million to the COD fund.

Their investment fueled core aims such as selling Fort Worth to companies exploring North Texas for relocation sites and making sure that local companies are happy to be here.

But the COD fund underwrites many other activities such as vital research, workforce development and community networks to be kept finely tuned.

The 2008-2009 COD report provided a snapshot of results.

“The Chamber continues to see strong interest among companies looking to relocate or expand,” the report stated. “The Chamber worked with 73 prospects: 26 are in manufacturing, 13 in data centers/call centers, six in office/headquarters and five in distribution/warehousing. Of these prospects, the Chamber hosted 28 site visits in 2009.”

Since it was launched in 1989, the COD fund has led to 1,100 significant business locations or expansions, 250,000 jobs and billions of dollars in capital investment.

Fierce competition roils the world of economic development these days.

“In my 21 years in economic development, I’ve never seen it this intense,” said David Berzina, executive vice president of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s economic development department.

“Everything’s being thrown out there to attract companies looking to relocate – cash incentives, rebates and more,” he said, as revenue-starved cities, states and regional partnerships battle for new business in the midst of economic difficulties.

But Fort Worth and Tarrant County deploy an exceptional resource, Berzina said – a public-private economic development team that “I’d put up against anyone.”

The team scores many victories on national and international levels, he explained, from 2,500-job, billion-dollar projects to $250,000 projects.

On the team are Berzina, Jesus “Jay” Chapa, director of the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development department; County Administrator G.K. Maenius; Judy McDonald, executive director of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; Kathleen Noble, associate vice chancellor of Tarrant County College’s Continuing Education Services (CES), and Aaron Demerson, executive director of the governor’s Economic Development & Tourism office.

Together, they create tailored proposals for prospects, bringing into play an array of incentives and resources that enhance local core advantages such as Fort Worth’s high quality of life and exceptional infrastructure.

They see a double challenge in 2010, Chapa says. “With the credit freeze, it remains increasingly difficult to get financing for deals.  So those projects that are able to find financing are of a premium and the City and Chamber are working very aggressively to recruit them to our community.

“At the same time, we are facing increasing pressures to keep our corporate partners that are already within the City from being recruited by other areas.”

Maenius adds that “companies looking to locate in the Tarrant County area are being offered a multitude of economic incentives from cities and states outside of Texas. We must be able to prove to companies that this area is the right place to locate without giving up a lot in taxes and other incentives.

“The Tarrant County Commissioners Court is pro-business and is committed to working with the cities and chambers in the county to bring about a win-win for the citizens and companies. We will partner with the other taxing entities to provide the best economic incentive offers based on the type of project and what the company and its investment bring to the community.”

The Chamber’s economic development team meets challenges head-on, Demerson said. “The Fort Worth Chamber has a team that ‘gets it.’ When a lead is submitted, the Fort Worth Chamber responds, and we likewise respond anytime they are working a lead that might need our assistance.”

McDonald agrees. “Our ability to customize our services to the needs of employers,” she said, “gives us a competitive advantage that is recognized by quality companies interested in the long-term success and well-being of not only the company but their employees.

“The greatest strength of all of the partners is our genuine desire to bring together the most beneficial services and resources for any given employer without regard to who gets credit for the success.”

Delivering a skilled workforce tailored to employer needs is essential, Noble said.

“One of the goals of Tarrant County businesses is to develop a more highly skilled workforce,” she explained, “and one way to achieve this goal is to train the workforce using Skills Development Funds available through the Texas Workforce Commission.

“Tarrant County College Corporate Services works with participant companies from start to finish — from the application process to the presentation of training and handling of all administration and compliance matters, through the grant’s completion.”

A CES branch, Corporate Services, partners “with the Fort Worth Chamber to identify business partners who would benefit from state-funded workforce training,” she said. “Our grants team assists the companies in identifying what types of training would most benefit their workforce.”

That’s part of the economic development team’s overall strategy that worked with 72 prospects in 2008-09, Berzina noted. “Fort Worth competes on a world level,” he said. “There’s a reason: Fort Worth’s world-class.”