Chamber newsletter distributed through the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the first Tuesday of each month to approximately 120,000 subscribers as well as the entire membership.

Latest Edition - April 2005

• President's column
• Site Selection Honor
• Economic Updates
• Dateline: Fort Worth...
• 2005 SBOY Finalists
• China Trade Agreement
• Chamber Day at the Speedway
• Workforce Summit
• WAC Membership Luncheon
• Tarrant County Day
• Cool pen
• Evans Project
• Chamberletter Update
• Ambassador of the Month
• DFW Airport

President's column

From the President

Being numero uno is a good feeling – especially when you’ve worked hard to earn it.

Last month’s announcement by Site Selection magazine that the Dallas-Fort Worth region is tops in the nation for new and expanded corporate facilities was like an Olympic gold medal for those of us in business. Developers and site selection consultants put stock in this magazine, and the recognition can be used as a platform for raising Fort Worth to the top of any corporation’s A-list.

This is another asset in the Fort Worth Chamber’s marketing portfolio as we visit site selection consultants and corporate executives whose perked ears and curious eyes are now turned our way. Even if your business didn’t open a new office or expand, your company, your family and your neighborhood will profit from the magazine’s endorsement.

To quote our Chairman Mike Berry, this recognition is something our community has been working towards for many years. We all know that being the hottest market in the U.S. doesn’t happen overnight or under one person’s watch.

Our city has seen tremendous growth to be the 20th largest in the U.S. Ad valorem taxes have gone from $15.2 billion in1990 to $28.9 billion in 2004. In 2000, there were 3,000 housing permits issued; in 2004, 11.065, a 265% increase.

We’ve seen our central business district become a vibrant downtown that is an impressive surprise to visitors and tourists. And now we have seen our ability to attract and retain business gain national attention.

Fort Worth’s 40 projects contributing toward the ranking include those high-profile names you’ve already heard: D.R. Horton, Pier 1, Cabela’s and Countrywide. But other big contributors were Williamson-Dickie’s distribution expansion, Del Monte’s new distribution facility, the Montgomery Ward project and its SuperTarget component, and Cott Beverages re-use of an existing facility and expansion. These four projects alone added more than $132.5 million in investment, more than 700 new employees, and 1.7 million square footage of new floor space.

What conditions made this all possible?

We have a central location – in the heart of the great state of Texas. We have a great climate. We have DFW International Airport. We have a skilled workforce, a diverse economy, and proven corporate headquarters success stories.

But it is the cooperation between the public and private sectors, the cooperation of the dozens of cities that make up the DFW Metroplex, the genuine friendliness of our citizens, and the pioneering spirit of our leaders that make people want to call DFW home.

It’s this intangible sense of success that perpetuates success and creates the environment for ideas to be conceived, plans to be nurtured and dreams to be realized. It’s an environment where businesses and the people who work for them – thrive.

David Berzina is executive vice president of economic development for the Fort Worth Chamber.

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Site Selection Honor

Metroplex Honored as No. 1 Market for Corporate Facility Expansion

The Dallas/Fort Worth region was recognized today by Site Selection Magazine as America’s number one market for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2004. The Dallas/Fort Worth region was honored with this distinction due to its corporate recruiting success in the 12-county Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro area. More than 277 companies -- well over one third of all Texas’ 2004 relocations/expansions -- chose the region to expand and relocate in 2004, with a total investment of more than $3 billion. The State of Texas received the Governor’s Cup (top state with most top metros) for 2004 at a news conference in Austin in March.

According to the cover story in the March 2005 Site Selection, the reason Texas lured so many projects is the $295 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) authorized by the legislature in 2003 to help seal deals that might otherwise have gone elsewhere. Texas Governor Rick Perry noted that the TEF is the main reason Texas landed such deals as Texas Instruments and Countrywide Financial. And Gov. Perry has asked the current legislature to raise the TEF allocation to $300 million in order to enable Texas economic development efforts to continue to be successful.

Qualifying projects for the Site Selection awards are determined by capital investment of at least $1 million, creation of 50 or more jobs, and/or leasing or building at least 20,000 square feet in new floor space.

Last year alone, DFW landed new and expanded corporate facilities by Countrywide, Vought Aircraft, Williamson-Dickie, Del Monte, Home Depot, Washington Mutual, Pier 1, AutoZone, Methodist Health System, RadioShack, D.R. Horton and Cott Beverages, to name a few. The long-term economic impact is in the billions.

“Fort Worth has recently been named a “Most Livable Community” and 20th largest city in the U.S., and now this accolade adds another great asset to our portfolio,” said Mike Berry, chairman of the Fort Worth Chamber and president of Hillwood Properties. “The recognition for DFW is invaluable and can be used to open doors around the world for years to come.”

“This is a huge win for our region.” said Joel Allison, chairman of the Greater Dallas Chamber and president and CEO of Baylor Healthcare Systems. “Corporate America is seeing what we have always known, we have an excellent and able workforce, the quality of life here is outstanding and our geographical position within the United States can’t be met by anyone. Our region is one of a kind and working together to market our area has paid off.”

The Dallas/Fort Worth region is partnering and marketing together to attract companies, create jobs and improve our quality of life. The DFW marketing team, formed last year by area cities, the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth chambers and leading corporate citizens, is pooling resources to market the entire region. The group gathers information and proposals from local communities, and coordinates site selection visits by prospects. More than half of all the region’s economic development groups are part of the team.

International trade and investment missions have been taking place throughout 2004 to market the DFW region. Leading trade partners such as Canada, the UK, Mexico, Brazil and China have all heard the DFW story and are opening offices and investing in the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

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Economic Update

Recap of Recent Economic Activities in Tarrant County

The 203 room Courtyard by Marriott, located in downtown Fort Worth at the edge of Sundance Square, plans a major renovation of its guest rooms, lobby and public spaces with completion slated for June 2005.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7-13

Construction of Oak Timbers – Fort Worth South, a senior residential facility, is expected to begin in December. The 6.5-acre site is located east of South Main Street and north of Rosedale Street.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7 – 13

Washington Mutual plans to add 25 new branch locations in the area over the next year.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7 – 13

Williams Trew Urban plans to introduce more than 30 acres of available condominiums and town homes in the Uptown area.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 14-20

Wells Fargo has moved its branch at 5412 Blue Mound Road to 5322 Blue Mound Road. The 4,500-square-foot branch offers two Internet stations, a walk-up automated teller machine, a drive-up ATM, six teller windows, five offices, a mortgage office and six drive-through lanes, two for commercial customers.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 7

Salon Moda, an upscale west side hair salon in Lincoln Village Shopping Center, 3721 Camp Bowie Blvd., has leased an additional 1,243 square feet to expand its operations.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

Lincoln Village Shopping Center was recently purchased by Southlake investor Kent Perkins.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

State National is building a four-story, 40,000 square foot bank and office building on the western edge of downtown Fort Worth, on the northeast corner of Seventh Street and Summit Avenue.
Fort Worth Business Press, January 31 – Feb. 6

Construction has begun to expand cardiology and cardiovascular surgery facilities at Cook Children's Medical Center. Cook Children's is renovating 14,000 square feet of space that once served as the pediatric intensive care unit. The remodeling is scheduled to be completed in October.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 14

Pier 1 Kids, the renamed furniture division of Pier 1 Imports, has leased 100,000 square feet of storage space at 1400 Everman Parkway, in the former Tandycrafts Building.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 7

The University of North Texas Health Science Center purchased the neighboring campus of Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7-13

As of March 1, Fort Worth based commercial real estate firm Kelly, Geren and Searcy became the Tarrant County affiliate for Coldwell Banker Commercial.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7-13

Nourian Family Trusts, a Texas real estate investment group based in Austin, has again expanded its Fort Worth holdings. The group has purchased the 42,340-square-foot building at 300 W. Vickery Blvd., which adjoins the former May Advertising building at 400 W. Vickery, which it bought last March.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 14

OBIM Fresh Cut Fruit Co., packagers of fresh fruit and vegetables, has closed its deal to buy the former Ben E. Keith warehouse on East Ninth Street.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 7

Three new tenants have leased space in Riverbend business park off Loop 820 near Trinity Boulevard. Washed Out Enterprises, which cleans parking garages and parking lots, has leased 2,000 square feet; All About Plumbing, a commercial and residential plumbing service, took 2,250 square feet; and Navis Pack & Ship, a Denver-based packaging and shipping company, took 2,700.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 7

IMC, a marble, stone and granite company with locations in Dallas and Phoenix, has leased 43,000 square feet of space in a building under construction at 2100 Handley-Ederville Road.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 7

Mistletoe Health Partners has leased 3,017 square feet of medical office space at 1350 S. Main St. in the St. Joseph Professional Building.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 14

Panther City Bicycles has leased 1,810 square feet at 715 W. Magnolia Ave., where it will sell and service all types of bicycles.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

Vic McLane State Farm Insurance purchased a lot at Davis Boulevard, south of North Tarrant Parkway. McLane plans to build an office.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

ServPro, which restores buildings that have suffered fire, water or mold damage, has leased 9,000 square feet in Riverbend Business Park, 2517 Gravel Drive.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 28

JBob's Designs, which specializes in fabricating acrylic awards, has leased 6,000 square feet at 2333 Pebble Drive at Riverbend Business Park.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 28

Jim Lucas, Jimmy Lucas, and Martin Thompson, owners and operators of Lucas and Lucas- Thompson Funeral Homes, acquired three Tarrant County funeral homes.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 21-27

John Lobsinger and Cory Potts opened Lobsinger & Potts Structural Engineering, Inc. on Hulen Street.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7-13

Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., one of the world’s largest plumbing and building materials distributors, opened a Fort Worth showroom in 12,100 square feet of space at 3433 West Seventh Street.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 7-13

Houston-based Magnum Staffing Services has opened an office at 800 North Freeway. It will provide warehousing, manufacturing, construction and clerical temporary staffers.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

The Pepper House ER has opened an 800-square-foot shop in the Stockyards Station Shopping Center in the historic Stockyards District off North Main Street. The Pepper House ER offers a variety of relishes, sauces, meat rubs, Cajun spices and related pepper items and chili powders.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, Feb. 21

Marcos Meza opened a UPS Store in Sundance Square on Feb. 28 at 209 West 2nd St.
Fort Worth Business Press, Feb. 14-20

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

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Dateline

Dateline: Fort Worth

Texas Two-Step

“…Fort Worth has created a cultural district to help revitalize itself, the centerpiece of which is one of the nation’s first “designer” museums, Louis Kahn’s marvelous Kimbell Art Museum, of 1972. It is flanked by Philip Johnson’s Amon Carter Museum (1961), with its fine collection of American art and photography, and Tadao Ando’s new building for the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which opened in December 2002. Ando is renowned for his précis but poetic works, including the introverted Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in St. Louis. The Modern is the oldest art museum in Texas, founded in 1892, but it has come into its own only with its move into the new $60 million structure.

Approaching it from the shady street, you see a glass-and-concrete building with steel mullions rising gracefully beside a large reflecting pond that offers visual relief from the blinding Texas sun. On closer inspection, you notice that the glass encloses what is in effect an interior building covered in smooth dark-gray concrete. This structure contains the galleries, which are full of top-notch works by Picasso, Gorky, Motherwell, Richter, Close and Rothenberg, all protected from the sun by those walls. Ando obviously live up to his reputation for being able to turn prosaic concrete into a luxurious material. Occasional openings in the concrete allow views through the glass to the museum’s garden and pond, giving you a chance to get your bearings and to contemplate nature as well as art.”

Town & Country
May 2004

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2005 Small Business of the Year

‘Rising Stars’ Honored at Small Business Awards

The 2005 Small Business of the Year Awards honoring the best practices of area small businesses were presented last week. The winners were chosen from a field narrowed from 137 nominees to 35 applicants, to 15 finalists. From those finalists, five of Fort Worth’s best small businesses were chosen.

The “Rising Star” awards were presented by Citizens National Bank. Platinum sponsors were Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and TCU’s Neeley School of Business. Gold sponsor was Advantage Rent-A-Car; silver sponsor was Pro Staff. Media sponsor for the event was the Fort Worth Business Press and supporting sponsor was Roundtree Advertising & Marketing, Inc.

Winners were selected in five categories and are listed below.
Emerging Business winner: Colonial Health Group -- Mark Euckert, President

Colonial Health Group (CHG), formed in 2002, is a nationwide physician recruiting firm based in Fort Worth. CHG is dedicated to making a strategic fit between the client we serve and the best physician candidates available
1-10 Employees winner: Best Used Trucks -- Eddie Walker, President and Dianne Schafer, Vice-President
Best Used Trucks opened in May 2001 and sells used heavy-duty trucks and trailers to retail and wholesale markets nationwide. Professional and experienced, Best Used Trucks enjoys the reputation of having a clean and friendly used truck dealership. Walker also serves as the President of the Used truck Association.

11-50 Employees winner: Pulliam Pools, Debra Smith -- Vice-President

Pulliam Pools is the continuation of a family construction business founded in 1916 and the oldest swimming pool company in America. Responsible for many firsts in the industry, Pulliam Pools is the premiere in-ground swimming pool builder operating in a five county area in the Fort Worth Metroplex.

51-100 Employees winner: Diamond H Recognition -- Pete Chambers, President & CEO

Diamond H Recognition provides employee recognition services to large companies nationwide. Working with human resource departments, we serve as an outsource solution for employee service award programs – handling everything from managing the anniversary data, to providing solicitation and congratulatory materials, to manufacturing emblematic jewelry, to shipping the gift itself.

101-250 Employees winner: Southwest Office Systems, Inc. -- Vince Puente, Sr., President of Sales & Marketing and Buddy Puente, President of Administration & Finance

SOS, founded in 1964 by Victor Puente Sr., began as a two-man typewriter repair company. Rapid growth led to sons Buddy and Vince joining their father in 1972. Eventually Victor turned over the helm to his sons who are now the principles of the company. The company is in the forefront of Document Communications Systems (DCS) industry.

Watch upcoming issues of the Chamberletter for profiles of each of our winners.

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China Trade Agreement

Chamber Inks Trade Pact with Chinese Group

After touring Alliance Texas in the morning and enjoying a luncheon at the Amon Carter Museum, a group of visiting Chinese dignitaries witnessed the historic signing of a trade agreement between the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. The group included trade experts from the CCPIT, China’s Ministry of Finance, the China Regulatory Commission and a business delegation from the People’s Republic of China and was in the U.S. as part of the United States-Chinese Business Forum held March 14.

According to Fort Worth Chamber President Bill Thornton, who signed the trade agreement on behalf of the Chamber, the agreement between China and Fort Worth will strengthen the economic ties, promote international relations and unify two diverse metropolises. Signing the agreement on CCPIT’s behalf was Zhang Wei, vice chairman for the CCPIT.

Over the past several years, recognition from China’s public and private sectors has brought business opportunities to the Metroplex. Not only have a number of highly visible Chinese corporations established themselves in this region, but China’s powerful governing organization for international business, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade has established one of its major U.S. offices in the Metroplex.

Provisions of the trade agreement follow:

• Both Parties will, within their respective responsibilities, keep regular contact and actively promote the friendship between China and Fort Worth as well as the economic ties.
  
  
• The Parties will provide details of international trade fairs as well as other kinds of trade promotion activities held on the respective side to the other Party on a regular basis and ensure necessary assistance to participating companies and institutions from the other Party.
  
  
• Both Parties will assist businesses engaged in all sectors as well as economic and financial institutions of both sides in establishing contacts, and facilitate trade missions expanding economic cooperation and mutual investment.
  
  
• Both Parties will regularly exchange publications and information about economic and public policies on the respective side and share experiences in attracting and utilizing foreign investment.
  
  
• The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and CCPIT will collaborate in organizing business events for the purpose of enhancing two-way trade and investment. Specific programs will be finalized upon mutual confirmation by written agreement.
  
  
• Parties will advocate for improved visa conditions to better facilitate the trade missions both from China to the United States and from the United States to China.
  
  
• Both Parties will, if necessary, meet to review and evaluate the implementation of this Agreement; and any revision or amendment to clauses will be made upon negotiation.
  
  
• This Agreement will come into effect upon signature and will be terminated three months after the date when any party notifies the other in writing of the wish to end the Agreement. Its renewal shall be automatic every year, unless any of the parties notifies the other in writing of its conclusion with no less than six months in advance to the expiration date.

As globalization in the 21st century is making the notion of a global village a reality, businesses need to consider international partnerships in order to thrive in the marketplace. China is DFW’s number one trading partner with more than $7.16 billion as of third quarter 2004.

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Chamber Day

Texas Motor Speedway Revs Up Chamber Day It’s an annual rite of spring where Chamber members and guests can attend a luncheon at The Speedway Club, get up close and personal with a champion racecar driver and enjoy exciting time trials that afternoon. This year’s featured guest is driver Kurt Busch, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion. Gold sponsors are the T, ProDrivers, ProLogistix and ResourceMFG. What: Chamber Day at the Speedway When: April 14, noon-1:30 p.m. Networking and registration begin at 11:30 a.m. Where: The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lonestar Circle. Parking in Crystal Lot only. Cost: Chamber members - $35; Gold members - $30; non-members - $60; and a table of ten - $400. Register online or contact Jeanean Herod at jherod@fortworthchamber.com or 817-336-2491, ext. 275.

Kurt Busch

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Workforce Summit

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Membership Luncheon

Montgomery Plaza Project on Target

John Avila, Jr., President & CEO, Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd.

Westside residents are anxiously watching the progress of the work on the old Montgomery Ward location on North Seventh Street.

The once-abandoned store is being transformed into a new, upscale commercial, retail and residential destination. And soon, residents of the near west side of Fort Worth will get what they've needed for years – convenient shopping. John Avila, Jr., president and CEO of Thos. S. Byrne General Contractors, will update the Chamber on the Montgomery Plaza project at the General Membership luncheon hosted by the West Area Council, presented by Wells Fargo. Gold sponsor is Advantage Rent-A-Car.

• What: General Membership Luncheon Hosted by the West Area Council
• When: Thursday, April 21, noon-1:30 p.m. Networking and registration begin at 11:30 a.m.
• Where: Residence Inn Marriott, 2500 Museum Way, 76107 – across from Montgomery Plaza
• Cost: Chamber members - $25; Gold members - $20; non-members - $40; Table of eight - $250

Fort Worth based Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd. Is the largest commercial construction services company in Tarrant County and the largest minority owned commercial construction company in Texas.
Register online or contact Jeanean Herod at jherod@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275

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Tarrant Count Day

Tarrant County Day at Capitol Makes Political Points

More than 150 political and business leaders traveled to Austin in February as part of the Tarrant County Coalition of Chambers of Commerce Tarrant County Day at the Capitol. The annual event gives participants a chance to meet face-to-face with Tarrant County’s state delegation to discuss issues and viewpoints in an informal setting.

This year’s Tarrant County Day at the Capitol was sponsored by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Fidelity Investments, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and TXU.

“Tarrant County Day is a great opportunity for business and civic leaders to share their thoughts on pending legislation with their respective House and Senate members,” said Tim Keleher, the Fort Worth Chamber’s vice president of Governmental and Urban Affairs. “There is a definitely some lobbying going on.”

“Tarrant County Day keeps us in touch with our representatives in Austin and gives us the opportunity to let them know what’s important to us,” said Brian Barnard of Haynes and Boone, LLP and chairman of the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee. “The Chamber has its legislative agenda and Tarrant County Day lets us meet with our representatives in person and explain why the agenda is important to us. It also lets us experience a little of what they do as well as gives us time to visit with them outside of working hours. It is beneficial from a member’s perspective for us to understand how the system works and let our representatives know what’s important to Fort Worth and Tarrant County.”

To see photos click here.
 
For more information on the Chamber’s governmental activities, contact Keleher at tkeleher@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 264.

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Cool Pen

	Pen memory holds Chamber stances on legislative issues.

Chamber Pen Leaves Lasting Mark

They say the pen is mightier than the sword. In the case of a parting gift the Fort Worth Chamber passed out at Tarrant County Day at the Capitol, the pen is mightier than hastily jotted down notes.

According to Tim Keleher, the Fort Worth Chamber’s vice president of governmental and urban affairs, it was important that the Tarrant County legislative delegation know where the Chamber stood on various issues. Rather than leaving behind copies of the stances, the Chamber opted for a little cutting edge technology – a handsome pen containing 32 megabytes of memory. Saved into that memory was the document listing where the Chamber stood on such issues as tax reform and school funding. All legislators have to do is plug the pen into a computer USB port and up pops the information.

The Fort Worth Chamber delegation gave the pens to each member of the Tarrant County legislative delegation as well as the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

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Evans Project

Evans & Rosedale: Rebirth of a Neighborhood

In 1998, citizens of the Evans and Rosedale area in southeast Fort Worth dreamed of seeing the neighborhood reborn. Today the Evans and Rosedale Business and Cultural District redevelopment project is underway.
Originally called “Heritage Center,” it has taken the hard work of multiple federal agencies and City departments, and the patience and dedication of community leaders to see it through.

The area – bounded by Leuda Street on the north, Evans and Kentucky Avenues to the east, East Rosedale to the south, and I-35W to the west – links southeast Fort Worth to the southern edge of downtown and the eastern edge of the Medical District. At one time, this strategically located commercial district served as the seat of Fort Worth’s African-American culture and a vibrant center of entertainment, office, retail and other commercial services.

In recent years, however, the area has fallen on hard times. To reverse the decline, a broad spectrum of community stakeholders has marshaled community input, financial and other resources to reestablish the district as a showcase for African-American culture and a center of commerce.

With the help of the City of Fort Worth, an advisory committee was formed to help generate a redevelopment strategy. In 2000, three nationally renowned consultants shared their expertise in the revitalization of urban commercial districts with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders and a vision for the area emerged. The Vision Plan for Evans & Rosedale synthesized community and expert input to direct revitalization efforts of the historic commercial district.

And today, that vision is taking shape calling for the district to serve as a gateway linking the Medical District on the west and Downtown to the northwest to historic neighborhoods to the east.

East Rosedale will become a landscaped boulevard leading east to Texas Wesleyan University and west to the Medical District. It is hoped that a mix of uses such as retail, professional office, medical, community retail, restaurants and music venues will serve not only the community, but also serve as destination locations for the region.

Included in the Evans and Rosedale project is 30,000-square-foot of new construction for the Health Department and the relocation of the Shamblee Library branch including 8,000 square feet of new construction joined to the renovated 4,800-square-foot Tommy Tucker Building. The library project will increase the facility’s size to more than 12,000 square feet. Estimated cost of the project is nearly $11 million.

“The intent of the Evans and Rosedale Project is to serve as a development catalyst for future private/public led investments and reinvestments in the southeast area of Fort Worth,” said Glenn Forbes, president of Southeast Fort Worth, Inc. “The public buildings being built in the area are expected to attract new private led capital and investment for the area. The master plan allows for mixed use residential and retail development in the area. Once begun, it should generate future investment activity in the southeast quadrant of the city.”

According to Greg Simmons, facilities manager, Transportation and Public Works Department, the designs are complete for the library complex and the contractor is currently pricing materials.

“We hope to start construction in July or August,” said Simmons adding, “Construction should take about a year.”

The Vision Plan for Evans and Rosedale Project specifically defines the community’s revitalization vision for the area and outlines how strategic public/private sector partnerships can achieve the vision noting, “The revitalization of this African-American cultural center anchors the future prosperity of the near southeast area of Fort Worth with its rich cultural roots.”

To learn more about this area of town, click here.

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Chamberletter Update

Funny, You Don't Look 100

One hundred issues in the making, watch for the May issue of the Chamberletter in its new and improved design and layout. And look for it on a new day, too. The Chamberletter will now publish on the last Tuesday of each month rather than the first. Printing each issue at the end of the previous month will ensure that members have plenty of time to learn about and register for Chamber events occurring early in the month. So look for your May 2005 Chamberletter in the April 26 issue of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Yes, after 100 issues in its tabloid format, the Chamberletter is being redesigned and will now be printed in a broadsheet (full page, like the rest of your paper) format. And, thanks to the responses we had to our member/reader survey, there were be some more substantive changes as well.

In future, there will be a greater concentration on stories about economic development and local issues as well as more feature stories. Of course, the Chamberletter will continue to list Fort Worth Chamber events, ribbon cuttings, new members and other regular features.

Another new feature to look for will be the “mouse” icon. This will indicate stories that offer more detail on the Internet.
We were pleased with the response to the survey and appreciate the feedback from our members. That input, along with invaluable advice and design work from the Star-Telegram, has helped us craft what we hope will be a more interesting, appealing and informative publication. So watch your April 26 Star-Telegram for the new and improved Chamberletter.

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Ambassador of the Month

Action Ambassador for January 2005

Congratulations to the Fort Worth Chamber’s top Action Ambassador for January 2005, Ann Richards. Richards has been an ambassador since March 2002 and is a residential Realtor associated with Keller Williams Realty. Action Ambassadors work on behalf of the Chamber calling on new members and serving as greeters at various Chamber functions. Currently, the program is recruiting new members, however, Ambassadors must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber. The Action Ambassador program is a great way to learn more about the Fort Worth Chamber and plug in to all of the programs it offers. It is also a great networking tool allowing ambassadors to contact Chamber members on the Chamber’s behalf. Contact Teresa Pearson at 817-336-2491, ext. 249 for information on becoming an Action Ambassador.

Ann Richards Action Ambassador, January 2005

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DFW Airport

Web Site Updates Area Residents on DFW Airport

If you’re confused about the status of DFW International Airport vis-à-vis the Wright Amendment, have we got a web site for you.

DFW and the North Texas Commission recently launched an information web site – www.keepdfwstrong.com – to educate and inform Metroplex residents about DFW’s commitment to providing low fare choices and airline competition as well as its reasons for supporting the existing Wright Amendment.

According to Ken Capps, DFW’s vice president for public affairs, it is hoped that the web site will generate support for DFW’s efforts to keep the Wright Amendment intact as well as ensure abundant travel choices for North Texans and connection passengers nationwide.

“The site is updated regularly,” said Capps, “so we encourage interested citizens to check back often. You can also sign up to receive e-mail updates on the latest news and information on the issue.
 

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March 2005 Edition
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Chamberletter contact below:

For more information contact:
Arden Dufilho
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 259