Dear Members, 

As we reach the close of the second quarter of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and to extend my sincere appreciation for your continued engagement and support. The Fort Worth Chamber exists to advocate for and strengthen our business community—and thanks to your partnership, we’ve made meaningful strides toward that mission over the past few months. 

This quarter has been marked by important legislative wins, high-impact events, and deeper connections within our membership base. It’s been a season of advocacy, collaboration, and forward momentum. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights. 

Legislative Advocacy: Championing a Strong Business Climate 

The second quarter brought a busy legislative season at the state Capitol, and I’m proud to report that the Fort Worth Chamber was actively engaged—both in promoting policies that benefit our business community and in standing strong against those that could have set us back. 

On the advocacy front, we joined forces with business leaders across the state to successfully champion a range of legislation with direct and positive impact on Fort Worth’s economic future. Among the most notable wins: 

• Increased Public Education Funding: We know that a well-educated workforce is the backbone of a strong economy. This funding boost will help ensure our schools are better equipped to prepare tomorrow’s business leaders. 

• Investments in Water Infrastructure: A reliable water system is critical to both quality of life and economic growth. These investments will help meet the needs of our rapidly growing region and ensure long-term sustainability. 

• Increase in the Business Personal Property Tax Exemption: This increase eases the tax burden on businesses, especially small and mid-sized enterprises, and encourages reinvestment and growth in our local economy. 

• Renewal of the R&D Tax Credit: Innovation continues to be a major driver of our economic development. By extending the R&D tax credit, Fort Worth businesses can keep investing in new ideas, technologies, and breakthroughs. 

• Expanded Film Incentives: With more funding available to attract film projects, Fort Worth is well-positioned to grow its emerging film industry. This is a win for both economic development and cultural vibrancy. 

• Recognition of Fort Worth as the “Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas”: This resolution is more than symbolic. It acknowledges the critical role Fort Worth plays in these sectors and strengthens our positioning for future investment and talent attraction. 

Equally important, we stood firm with our partners to oppose legislation that would have harmed our business climate. The power of our collective voice was evident as several potentially damaging bills were successfully defeated. Your input and support made this possible, and we thank you. 

Member-Centered Events: Building Community and Sharing Insight 

In addition to our advocacy efforts, we remained committed to fostering a sense of connection and learning among our members. This quarter, we hosted a variety of events that brought our network together in meaningful ways. 

One of the highlights was our Small Business Appreciation Walk—a powerful demonstration of the strength of our small business community. With 112 volunteers canvassing the city and meeting with over 600 small businesses, we gathered valuable feedback, shared resources, and simply said "thank you" to the entrepreneurs and owners who help drive Fort Worth’s economy every day. It was energizing to see so many engaged members out in the community, strengthening relationships and championing small business success. 

Our Policy Pulse series continued with a standout session featuring Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. Glenn delivered an informative and timely presentation on trade and tariffs, providing a broader understanding of how global policies impact our local economy. The event drew a strong crowd, and the questions and discussion that followed were a testament to our members’ engagement and thought leadership. 

Finally, we were thrilled to launch our inaugural State of Economic Impact event. This first-of-its-kind program brought together local leaders and experts for a series of panel discussions on the businesses and industries shaping Fort Worth’s growth trajectory. From real estate and energy to logistics, healthcare, and technology, attendees gained valuable insight into the drivers behind our economic success—and what lies ahead. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has already confirmed this event will become a new tradition. 

Looking Ahead 

As we move into the second half of the year, our focus remains clear: to advocate for policies that promote prosperity, to deliver programming that adds value to your membership, and to create opportunities for you to connect, collaborate, and grow. 

We know that challenges remain—both at home and in the broader economy—but we’re confident in Fort Worth’s resilience and potential. The energy in our business community is real, and it’s growing. We’re seeing innovation, investment, and optimism in every corner of the city. And we’re here to make sure that energy is nurtured, supported, and sustained. 

I encourage each of you to stay engaged. Attend our upcoming events, participate in advocacy efforts, and reach out with your ideas and feedback. The Chamber is your organization—and our success is measured by how well we serve you. 

Thank you once again for your continued support of the Fort Worth Chamber. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our city, one quarter at a time. 

Warm regards,