Fort Worth experienced its strongest economic year in over a decade during fiscal year 2025, attracting $6.7 billion in new capital investment according to Dr. Brandon Chicotsky, an associate professor at Texas Christian University. Chicotsky attributed this momentum to strategic projects in aerospace, technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, with companies actively recruiting from TCU's top-ranked programs. He emphasized that Fort Worth's success stems from what he called "sensible government" focused on tangible outcomes rather than political performance. "We operationalize government—like mixed-use urban infill in Westside Village—while other major cities get stuck in virtue signaling," he stated.
Chicotsky highlighted collaborations with prominent developers and academic expansions, including UTA West and Texas A&M's new downtown law school, as evidence of the city's investable climate. The professor outlined Fort Worth's structured approach to economic incentives, specifically using Chapter 312 tax abatements and Chapter 380 "pay-as-you-go" agreements to attract projects that expand the tax base. "We use incentives to grow, not to fill gaps," Chicotsky explained, contrasting this approach with what he described as challenges in other major metropolitan areas. With approximately 66,000 undeveloped acres available, the city is positioned for quality growth that outpaces infrastructure costs according to his analysis.
Chicotsky connected economic strategy with cultural identity, noting Fort Worth's unique blend of history and modernity—from its origins as a frontier fort to today's "Western chic" culture. He pointed to the thriving stockyards and a Paramount-backed production campus led by Taylor Sheridan as examples of this cultural-economic fusion. Tourism represents significant economic impact, with 11.5 million visitors in 2024 generating over $3.5 billion for the local economy. The city's academic institutions play a crucial role in this growth model, with programs like the TCU Sales Center producing graduates who often earn over $100,000 in their first year.
Chicotsky described Fort Worth's story as "one of faith, grit & opportunity" that blends heritage with innovation in a way that is "uniquely Texan & undeniably successful." This combination of functional governance, strategic investment, and cultural authenticity creates what Chicotsky terms a "generative economy" that continues to attract both businesses and visitors to North Texas. The city's approach demonstrates how targeted economic development policies, when combined with cultural preservation and academic partnerships, can create sustainable growth that benefits multiple sectors simultaneously.
