September 2007

• WIB
• Downtown Art
• President's Collumn
• 125th Photo
• Economic Update
• Chamber Foundation
• Golf Classic
• Tradeshow
• Higginbotham
• Online Business Description
• Rail Line move
• 2007 Media Directory
• Calendar
• Ribbon Cuttings
  

Women Influencing Business Begins at the Same Table

Karel Rucker, Mother Rucker's Sweets

Concerns about career advancement and increased professional opportunities are certainly not gender specific. Opportunities such as serving on corporate or non-profit boards or being positioned as a subject matter expert in the media provide excellent professional exposure for both males and females, yet research shows that many women may not be adequately networked for these business platforms.

A study conducted by the Center for Women’s Business Research examined the track record of women’s business enterprises seeking entry to corporate markets. While these companies earn a significant percentage of their revenues from Fortune 100 corporations, the study finds that women-owned businesses capture a mere 4 percent of the billions spent annually on outside goods and services.* 

Flextime, retirement, childcare and family leave are also key areas of concern for female professionals, along with more common business quandaries such as health insurance, infrastructure, tax issues and financial resources. 

Results of recent local focus groups and surveys conducted by the Fort Worth Chamber echoed these national concerns, while also identifying that women-owned and operated businesses are often overlooked in this community. However, more than 50 percent of local businesses—far above the national average—are women-owned and/or operated. 

To raise awareness of women’s role in Tarrant County business leadership, the Chamber formed a steering committee to create Women Influencing Business (WIB). The goal of WIB is to plan and implement new initiatives and programs that elevate the visibility of women in this business community, while bringing everyone to the same table of opportunity for expansion and growth.

Karel Rucker, owner of Mother Rucker’s Sweets, chairs the Chamber-appointed WIB steering committee of 22 women, and she’s as passionate about this new group as she is her confectionary company. 

“The mission behind Women Influencing Business is simple,” said Rucker. “We were formed to promote the success of all women in business in the Tarrant County area. Our vision is to involve and fully integrate women as recognized business leaders and advisors for this community.”

A majority of the WIB efforts will invite all Chamber members—both male and female—to work together at the same table, with the intention of elevating the role of female business professionals through networking and educational sessions. The WIB’s kick-off event is a Texas Hold ‘em party on Thursday, September 27. Future WIB plans include addressing health issues and financial planning, as well as after-hours socials and tabletop discussion groups.

In addition to Rucker, the WIB Steering Committee members include Pat Alva-Green, Alva-Green Coaching Group; Allyson Baumeister, Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier PC; Patricia Bergmaier, TCU University Career Services; Dawn Brace, Navis Pack & Ship; Kim Campbell, Edward Jones; Jill Gunnell, State Farm; Suzi Hill, The Hill Company; Dawn Howell, Design Works Studio, Inc.; Julie Hunter, First Horizon Bank; Deborah Johnson, Big Bad Wolf Creative; Sue Johnson, Printing Plus; Sandra McGlothlin, Empire Roofing; Martha Newman, Gain Your Goals; Carol Osteen, Techline; Roxanne Pillar, Huitt-Zollars, Inc.;  Cynthia Sadler, Frost Bank; Sarah Walls, Cantey & Hanger, LLP; and Suzette Watkins, Riverside Kennel.

For more information about Women Influencing Business, go to www.fortworthchamber.com and click on Member Groups.

*Fort Worth Women’s Business Advisory Council

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Plans Forming for More Public Art in Downtown

The continued development of downtown has come to include thoughtful designs of buildings, public spaces and, in some cases, artwork. From “Man with a Briefcase” to the Chisholm Trail Mural, public art has become a mainstay of the downtown landscape. In an effort to increase and coordinate those instances, the city has adopted the Downtown Public Art Plan as part of the Downtown Strategic Action Plan, adopted by the City Council in 2003, which called for increasing the presence of public art throughout downtown.

Man with a Briefcase stands in Burnett Park.

The question of how and where has been addressed by the Downtown Public Art Plan, a community-driven project managed by the Downtown Public Art Plan Committee, a subcommittee of the DFWI Urban Design Committee. Over a one-year period, partners including Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., the Fort Worth Arts Commission, the City of Fort Worth and other downtown stakeholders participated in planning meetings to analyze existing public art downtown and make recommendations for potential new public art.

“The plan wasn’t a response to a crisis, but more of a development step, with the end game being placing more public art throughout downtown” said Melissa Dailey, director of transportation and planning with Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., who is managing the project. “Downtown officials have at times been approached about placing art in public spaces, and there really has been no philosophy, goal or guidelines to govern those instances. We really need guidelines to address opportunities that arise.”

Dailey said the putting together a plan for projects big and small involved two steps. First, members of the planning committee looked at what artwork is already in downtown, both in public and privately held space. “Artwork” was defined as a variety of things, Dailey said, from sculptures and murals to light displays and benches with artistic designs. The committee then made recommendations on how each piece could be improved, from additional lighting to relocation. Next, the committee looked at what pieces could be added and made recommendation on where they should be located.

Sleeping Panther rests on the Tarrant County Administration building's lawn.

All of this is outlined in a four-color report available through Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. The print version is being distributed through the DFWI office and is available electronically.

“We have now formed an implementation committee that is looking at what can be done, what kind of time is required and what the potential funding sources are in general and for specific projects,” Dailey said.

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President’s Column

Bill Thornton

This year, our city’s relationship with the U.S. Army came full circle. We were founded as an army outpost in June 1849, and in July 2007, one of our celebrated sons became the U.S. Army’s top leader. Pete Geren was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the Army. He had been Acting Secretary of the Army since March.

As you can imagine, the job is almost as big as the responsibility. In this position, Secretary Geren will advise the President and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on the capabilities and requirements of the Army. He’ll have to present and justify Army policies, plans, programs and budgets not only to the President, defense secretary and U.S. Congress, but also to the public. Not a small task.

Most importantly, Secretary Geren will oversee the troops and provide direction for them during a difficult time for our country and our military, which includes one million active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers. He’s also responsible for 230,000 Department of the Army civilian employees, 280,000 contracted service personnel, an annual budget of $170 billion and more than 15 million acres of land. An even bigger task.

One of the people in Washington, D.C., who has assisted Secretary Geren since shortly after he took office is Pete Rose. (Not that Pete Rose—a common mistake.) This Pete Rose was the legislative director for Secretary Geren when he was our congressman, and Rose is the founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, a bipartisan government relations firm in Washington, D.C. He has a front-row seat for the Secretary’s performance, and I asked him what he thought the future held both for Secretary Geren and for Fort Worth as a result of this appointment.

“Pete has a strong sense of patriotism. He came to Congress with a powerfully held view of a strong national defense, and he believed that was the first and foremost responsibility of Congress,” Rose said. “He’s inherited a tough role, operating the Army in an unpopular war, but he is a patriot, and he will comport himself with integrity and an eye on what he believes is in the best interest of our national security. With Pete in this position, Fort Worth will continue to have its voice heard in the Pentagon.”

Much of the Secretary’s work has involved our nation’s defense. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1989, and during his 8-year tenure he served on the Armed Services Committees. It was during Pete’s first term that the Base Realignment and Closure Commission turned its attention to Carswell Air Force Base, which was closed. Working with then-Mayor Kay Granger and a host of local officials, Congressman Geren successfully lobbied the Department of Defense to reopen the base as the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. It was the first joint reserve base in the nation, and it became a model for similar operations throughout the country. If you lived in Fort Worth in 1993, you know how important reopening the base was to our city’s economic health.

Secretary Geren has been a loyal servant of and a good friend to our city for many years. Now we get to share him with the nation, and we do so with great pride.

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Country singer Pat Green autographed CDs for Donna and Martin Noto, Companss Bank, at the Fort Worth Chamber's 125th Anniversary party August 21 at Billy Bob's Texas. Compass Bank was entertainment sponsor for the event.

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Recap of Tarrant County Economic Updates

In the Works

Pearl Investments, which renovated the former Clarion hotel in downtown Fort Worth and recently reopened it as an Embassy Suites, may soon begin work on its second Fort Worth hotel project. The group bought the former Care-A-Lot Inn building at 1111 W. Lancaster Ave. in February.
Star-Telegram, July 2, 2007

Cadence McShane Corp. said it will build RiverPark 700, a 328,828-square-foot speculative industrial building with 64 truck docks in RiverPark Business Center, at Trinity and Roy Orr boulevards south of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. 
Star-Telegram, July 2, 2007

Aidi Grocery Store, the discount grocer, bought two acres at Legacy Marketplace Shopping Center, Legacy Drive and Clifford Street.  The stores are smaller than most grocery stores and typically stock generic brands.
Star-Telegram, July 9, 2007

Fort Worth real estate broker Jim Austin is managing a new investment group of owners that is reopening Smokey’s Ribs, at 5300 E. Lancaster Ave. Bar-B-Cutie, a national barbecue franchise from Tennessee, is opening up to 55 locations in the Fort Worth-Dallas area.  The chain will open its first Fort Worth location at 5710 Rufe Snow Drive, in Richland Hills, within two months.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 16, 2007

Emmitt Smith successfully argued for the demolition of the 84-year-old Masonic Home dorm and carpentry shop in southeast Fort Worth to make way for a $50 million commercial development.  Smith envisions bringing big-box stores and restaurants to the neighborhoods just southwest of Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway.  The Masonic Home site is 201 acres; of that, 170 acres is slated for redevelopment.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 9, 2007

The dilapidated T&P Warehouse on the south edge of downtown Fort Worth will get as much as $9.1 million in tax money for renovations and construction of 260 apartments or condominiums under a deal reached with city officials.  A second phase, which would bring the project's overall cost to $75 million, might include retail space on the first floor and landscaping 5 acres of property behind the building.
Star-Telegram, July 18, 2007

Plans were unveiled for six 35-foot-high metal sculptures to be placed in the divided median of the new downtown stretch of Lancaster. The sculptures, which cost $220,000 each, will use metal plates that appear transparent at eye level and use reflected light to appear illuminated.
Star-Telegram, July 18, 2007

Alcon Inc. recently announced it has purchased WaveLight AG of Germany, a maker of refractive laser and diagnostic systems, for approximately $13.78 per share.  Surgical sales, which include the cataract and refractive divisions, accounted for 45 percent of the $4.9 billion in total revenue Alcon reported for 2006.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 23, 2007

Fort Worth architect Ken Schaumburg and investor Bernardo Pana, under a limited partnership named ACCP, have bought 14 acres at the southwest corner of Interstate 35W and Northside Drive.  The planned development will have at least two towers featuring a hotel, offices and condos.  The land is just east of Trinity Uptown, the $435 million flood control and economic development project near downtown.
Star-Telegram. July 30, 2007

Expansions and Moves

General contractors Key Construction Texas moved their Fort Worth offices to the Fossil Creek Business Park.  The new space is twice as large as the old one. 
Star-Telegram, July 2, 2007

Jaster-Quintanilla, a structural and civil engineering firm and structural engineer of record for the new Tarrant County College downtown campus, has expanded its operations to meet market demand in North Texas by opening an office at 1227 W. Magnolia Avenue.
Star-Telegram, July 16, 2007

On the Dotted Line

The 7,500 square foot building at 700 Carroll Street has been purchased by Matt and Julie McEntire.  McEntire currently owns the Shamrock Pub on West Seventh and his wife practices law next door. 
Star Telegram, July 2, 2007

A parking lot on the north side of First Christian Church, Fifth and Throckmorton Streets, has been sold to a Fort Worth-based real estate developer and investor.  Brandon Beck, who once owned Good Eats Grill restaurants in Fort Worth and Lewisville, bought the nearly half-acre site in late May.
Star-Telegram, July 23, 2007

Talbots, Inc. is preparing to have four Talbots concept stores in the north wing of University Park Village.  Talbots Woman, a 3,150-square-foot shop offering clothing in sizes ranging from 12W to 24W and 12WP to 24WP, is scheduled to open Aug. 30 between the Bombay Co. furniture store and Talbots' other University Park Village shops: Talbots, Talbots Petites and Talbots Accessories and Shoes.  
Star-Telegram, July 23, 2007

Cafe Express, the quick-serve restaurant that anchored one end of University Park Village, shut its doors at the end of June.
Star-Telegram, July 23, 2007

Superior Leasing has bought the 50,000-square-foot industrial building at 2900 Bryan Avenue.  It plans to lease the space to machine shops for warehouse space. 
Star-Telegram. July 30, 2007

Openings

Ruth's Chris Steak House will open in Fort Worth in the Hilton Fort Worth, across Main Street from Del Frisco's. The projected opening date is February.
Star-Telegram, July 6, 2007

A Bob's Steak and Chop House is scheduled to open in the Omni hotel. Besides Del Frisco's, downtown already has the only Mercury ChopHouse, a beefed-up cousin to Dallas' Mercury Grill.
Star-Telegram, July 6, 2007

PlainsCapital Bank plans to open its fourth location in the city next summer in the Cultural District, near the intersection of Camp Bowie Boulevard and Montgomery Street.   The Dallas-based financial institution will occupy 13,000 square feet of a three-story, 33,000-square-foot complex to be built at 3707 Camp Bowie Blvd. 
Fort Worth Business Press, July 9, 2007

Around Town

The historic art-deco Kress Building is for sale. The owners just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, converting the upper three floors into 24 loft apartments. 
Star-Telegram, July 9, 2007

Whirlpool Corporation has renewed its lease for industrial/distribution space in the Carter Business Park.  Whirlpool signed a two year lease in January 2006 for the 850,000-square-foot building – the former General Motors parts plant – but recently renewed the lease on a long term basis. 
Star-Telegram, July 16, 2007

Trademark Property Co. will soon begin building a 135-room hotel and three restaurants, as well as renovations on an 11-story office building, as part of the River Plaza shopping center.  Construction is scheduled to get under way by the end of the year, with the first phase to open in 2009. The development group will also buy the Silver Fox steakhouse on University Drive, remodel it and lease it back to the restaurant group.
Star-Telegram, July 18, 2007

Out of Town Reporting

According to an announcement by the Miller Brewing Co., Foster's Group Limited and Miller Brewing Co. have formed a license-brewing partnership, scheduled to take effect in November 2007.    Under the 10-year agreement, the brewing of Foster's Lager and Special Bitter sold in the U.S. will be handled by Miller's breweries in Fort Worth, TX and Albany, GA.
Beverage World, July 15, 2007

The Senate confirmed Pete Geren to be secretary of the Army.  Geren, who served as an assistant to former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, has been serving as acting Army secretary since March.  Geren served as a Democratic congressman from Fort Worth from 1989 to 1997 and was acting secretary of the Air Force.
The Associated Press, July 13, 2007

Cardinal Health announced the sale of its Fort Worth pharmaceutical manufacturing site to Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company.
Managed Care Business Week, July 31, 2007

According to a regulatory filing, natural gas processor Quicksilver Gas Services, LP, a subsidiary of oil and gas explorer Quicksilver Resources, Inc., expects to raise $93 million after expenses from its initial public offering.  The company began operations in 2004 to service parent Quicksilver Resources, which will continue to control the company after the IPO.   The Fort Worth-based company plans to list its common units on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KGS."
Associated Press Financial Wire, July 26, 2007

Did You Know?

The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association announced an agreement to jointly promote both cities to the convention industry.  The partnership is based upon a national hotel model that encourages groups to sign multi-year contracts to move their meetings to different properties within the brand around the country.  Fort Worth is the 17th largest city in the U.S. with a population of 653,320, while Baltimore is the 19th largest with a population of 631,366.  The convention groups are talking with convention and visitors bureaus on the West Coast in hopes of rounding out a three-city alliance.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 9, 2007

Fort Worth businessman Tom Buxton has been named a Southwest Area Entrepreneur of the Year by worldwide financial firm Ernst & Young.  Buxton serves industries such as retail and restaurants, the government and public sector, health care, real estate development and consumer packaged goods.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 9, 2007

Texas Health Resources, the hospital network that includes Harris Methodist Fort Worth, is starting on a 10-year path to better connect its facilities and provide care to its patients.  The company recently shuffled its leaders into new positions. Barclay Berdan, former president of Harris Methodist Fort Worth, was replaced by Oscar Amparan, who was president of Arlington Memorial.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 16, 2007

A regional premiere of Steven Okazaki’s documentary White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place July 25 in Fort Worth, heralding a formal debut on the HBO cable-television network. The showing at the Modern Art Museum represents a coup for the Lone Star Film Society. 
Fort Worth Business Press, July 23, 2007

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

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Support Fort Worth through the Chamber Foundation

As we celebrate our 125th Anniversary, the Chamber is proud to have played a role in accomplishing many community initiatives through its 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Fort Worth Chamber Foundation, Inc.

Established in 1982, the mission of the Foundation is to raise, manage and render financial support for key community initiatives as identified through the Chamber's strategic planning process.  Foundation funds are used exclusively for public education, crime reduction, beautification and strategic community planning, and are approved by a board of community business leaders.  

Local private donations raised for a specific purpose have funded a majority of the Foundation’s activities over the last 25 years. However, smaller donations are required for funds to remain readily available to various on-demand educational purposes and projects.

Please consider helping the Chamber continue to fund these key community initiatives with a donation of $125 or more to the Foundation. Donations to the Foundation are 100 percent tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, and donors will be acknowledged in the 2007-08 Annual Meeting Program. 

For more information or to make your donation online, go to www.fortworthchamber.com, or contact Marilyn Gilbert at mgilbert@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 239.

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Tee Times are Almost Taken

Come do your best Tiger impersonation at this year’s Chamber Golf Classic. Foursomes are filling up fast, so anyone interested in playing needs to secure a position in the lineup on the links.

Some sponsorship opportunities are still available. Sponsors receive signage, recognition in the Chamberletter and seats at the awards dinner, which will conclude the day.

The Golf Classic is a great opportunity to spend an afternoon out on the north and south courses of Ridglea Country Club. The north course of the club, also known as the family course, plays at 6,447 yards, while the south course, known as the Championship course, plays at 7,125 yards. Ridglea has made all of its facilities available to Chamber golfers. It has a full staff of golf pros, golf shops and practice areas at each location.

For more information on playing in the tournament, contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272.

For sponsorship information, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com, ext. 243.

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Booths Now Available for Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show

Join 21 Chambers of Commerce from Tarrant County and beyond at this popular business-to-business networking extravaganza, presented by Worth National Bank.

• Thursday, November 1
• 4:00-8:00 PM
• Will Rogers Memorial Center Exhibits Hall
• 3401 West Lancaster
  Fort Worth, TX 76107

Each year, more than 1,500 area professionals browse nearly 200 booths showcasing business solutions from financial services to home improvement and office equipment to employment outsourcing.

Exhibit booths are available now, with Early Bird discounts offered through October 19.  Prices for booths are:

• Gold Member - $395 Early Bird; $495 after October 19*
• Chamber Member - $425 Early Bird; $525 after October 19*
• Prime Booth (Members Only) - $600 Early Bird; $600 after October 19*
• Non-Member - $600 Early Bird; $700 after October 19*
  
  *Payment must be received by October 19 to receive Early Bird pricing.
  Non-refundable payment is required to process registration and assign booth space.

Each booth includes one 10’ x 10’ booth with 8’ back draping and 3’ side drapes, one skirted 6’ table with two chairs, one 7” x 44” printed company name sign, your business listing in the Trade Show program and 20 complimentary admission tickets for your clients and associates. 

Click here for a floor plan or visit http://www.fortworthchamber.com/events/tradeshow.html for more info.

To learn more about how your company can gain extraordinary exposure at the Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show 2007, contact Beverly Rozanski at brozanski@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext.263.

Participating Chambers of Commerce:

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Local Insurance Company Grows through Innovation, Customer Attention

The managing directors of Higginbotham & Associates.

If the building layout seems a little odd at Higginbotham & Associates, Inc., that’s because it used to be a parking garage. There are many different levels, but activity there seems to move up rather than down.

One of the nation’s 100 largest independent insurance agencies, Higginbotham & Associates has been recognized for its commitment to clients, employees, insurance carriers and local communities. The company has been named as one of the “25 Most Innovative Agents in America” and a “Best Company to Work for in Texas.”

In addition, Higginbotham was named the Chamber’s 2007 Small Business of the Year for the category of 101-250 employees.
 
“These honors have come about because our mantra rings true to all of our constituencies,” said Rusty Reid, Higginbotham president and CEO. “We are a ‘single source for a secure future.’ That goes for our clients and our employees.”

Founded in 1948, Higginbotham offers business and personal insurance, risk management, employee benefits, life insurance and retirement plan expertise. In 1989 Reid led the formation of its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Since then, the company has seen an explosion in revenue growing from $1.6 million to almost $34 million. “That is a compounded annual growth rate of 21 percent over 17 years,” Reid said.

In that time, the number of Higginbotham employees driving and sustaining the growth has increased from less than 20 to nearly 220. Because of the company’s employee ownership model, they are the direct beneficiaries of this rapid expansion.

“Our people routinely make extra efforts to exceed client expectations due in part to the sense of responsibility and pride that comes with ownership,” said Reid.

That sense of responsibility has led to many company innovations, including the creation of an emergency hotline that gives clients immediate response. “Disasters never happen during business hours,” said Reid. “We offer our clients a 24-hour emergency claims hotline when disaster strikes. We can be there very quickly.”

The agency’s exceptional growth has not only been driven by enhancements to its products and services, but also by geographic expansion. Until 1999, Higginbotham operated solely out of its Fort Worth headquarters. Now, with offices in Austin, Dallas, Denton, McKinney, Weatherford and Waco, Higginbotham has North Texas well covered. As the company executes its vision to become “the best in Texas,” it continues to look to new markets to expand its footprint.

“Being honored as Small Business of the Year is a testimony to our rare corporate culture that rewards ingenuity and teamwork,” said Reid. “The recognition will help us recruit motivated people who are a good fit for our company as we continue our expansion across Texas.” 

The company also has established a mentoring program, in which experienced agents work with new hires over a three-year period to enable them to learn the insurance business on an expedited path.

But don’t think just because Higginbotham handles insurance that it’s a dull place to work. These folks know how to have fun. “We throw a terrific holiday party each year,” said Reid. “We play games and have events at my lake house. Our employees are our biggest asset.”

2008 Small Business of the Year Nominations Now Being Accepted

Nominate your or another business for one of the following Small Business Award categories: 1-10 employees, 11-50 employees, 51-100 employees, 101-250 employees and emerging business (in business less than three years and not a buyout of an existing business). Nomination criteria include:

• Any for-profit business headquartered in Tarrant County.
• Applicant must be owner, partner or major shareholder of the business and active in its day-to-day operations.
• Business must be financially stable and operational for a minimum of three years with the exception of the “emerging business.”
• Businesses providing a current member of the Fort Worth Chamber Board of Directors will not be eligible for consideration.
• Businesses must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber at the time award is presented.

Judging elements include business growth and performance; sound business strategies and practices; business challenges; unique and innovative approaches and community involvement and contribution.

For a nomination form, go to our website or contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com, ext. 243.

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Online Member Directory Includes Search Optimization

Every month, more than 12,000 web users visit the Fort Worth Chamber’s website looking for businesses and economic development information.

The Chamber’s online membership directory is searchable by business name, category and keywords. If you’re a Chamber member, one way to increase your exposure is to write a description about your company to be displayed in the More Info option under your listing.

Simply log-in to Members Only with your username and password. Look to the menu at left, click on Edit Business Info and type your business description, up to 60 words, at the prompt.

• Use key words that an ordinary customer would use
• Use words that reflect your category
• Differentiate yourself from the competition
• Avoid lofty claims, salesy advertisements, or time-sensitive issues like pricing
• Avoid industry jargon and acronymns

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Proposed Commuter Rail Line Moves Forward

Plans for a commuter rail line across Tarrant County have moved one step closer to completion. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority is moving forward with an environmental study and preliminary engineering study, which should be completed by the spring of 2008, with additional engineering work to occur throughout 2008 and into 2009. If the project proceeds as planned, the line could be operating as early as 2012.

The proposed commuter route, dubbed the Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor, follows existing rail lines from the Granbury Road/South Hulen area in Fort Worth, through downtown, northeast to downtown Grapevine and then into the north entrance of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

"We welcome and need public input over the next several months as we plan station sites," said Dick Ruddell, president of The T.

"Well-planned rail transit stations add mobility, but also value to a community in terms of revenue from business and residential development around the stations."

The environmental study will provide formal documentation of existing environmental conditions, possible environmental impacts of the project and proposed methods to avoid, minimize or mitigate those impacts, along with initial engineering plans for the rail project. The documentation is called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The natural, cultural, historical, archaeological and social environments along the proposed route will be investigated and documented.  In addition, some engineering details will be developed in order to provide the environmental team with a “footprint” for the environmental review.

Preliminary engineering reports will identify additional project design detail, taking into consideration the physical needs of the passenger rail technology used, and the geometry of the terrain along the identified route. The plans will be developed to a 10 percent level of detail initially, to confirm the location and to provide the environmental team with a defined footprint for assessing the environmental impacts. At the end of this phase, pending approval from the Federal Transit Administration, plans will provide up to a 30 percent level of detail, which will help determine more precise cost estimates.

More information on the project, including dates and locations of public meetings, can be found at www.sw2nerail.com.

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Hot Off the Press!

To be successful in your publicity efforts, you need to know exactly who to contact at your target media outlet. And with the turnover in the media these days, an updated list is critical.

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has updated and released its 2007 Media Directory. This 60-page guide includes print media primarily for Tarrant County, and also includes some print listings for Dallas, Johnson, Hood and Parker counties.  Broadcast media is included for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as network and wire services.

Contact names, titles, phone numbers, email addresses, circulation numbers, target audiences and deadlines are all included in the media directory.  The directory is updated annually for use by business owners, public relations professionals and advertisers.

The 2007 Media Directory is available to Fort Worth Chamber members for $30 and to non-members for $40.  A disk with PDF is also available or it can be downloaded from the Chamber web site.

Click here to order online. 

For more information, contact Lauren Turner at lturner@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 242

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Calendar of Events

Click here for the Chamber Calendar of Events

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Recent Ribbon Cuttings
           
Discount Game Room & Theater Warehouse
5144 SE Loop 820, Fort Worth, 76140
Contact Kim Shelton at 682/587-8580

Embassy Suites Hotel
600 Commerce St., Fort Worth, 76102
Contact Lisa Rebstock at 817/332-6900

Knockouts
3008 West 7th St., Suite 228, Fort Worth, 76107
Contact James Schaefer at 817/332-4141

Remington College – Cosmetology School
300 E. Loop 820, Fort Worth, 76112
Contact the Director of Recruitment at 817/451-0017

World Capital Mortgage, L.P.
2501 Parkview Dr., Suite 620, Fort Worth, 76102
Contact Caitlin Baker at 817/877-5626

Zambrano Wine Cellar
910 Houston St., Suite 110, Fort Worth, 76102
Contact Cef Zambrano at 817/850-9463

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Archive

2007

• August 2007 Edition
• July 2007 Edition
• June 2007 Edition
• May 2007 Edition
• April 2007 Edition
• March 2007 Edition
• February 2007 Edition
• January 2007 Edition

2006

• December 2006 Edition
• November 2006 Edition
• October 2006 Edition
• September 2006 Edition
• August 2006 Edition
• July 2006 Edition
• June 2006 Edition
• May 2006 Edition
  
• April 2006 Edition
  
• March 2006 Edition
  
• February 2006 Edition
  
• January 2006 Edition

2005

• December 2005 Edition
  
• November 2005 Edition
  
• October 2005 Edition
  
• September 2005 Edition
  
• August 2005 Edition
  
• July 2005 Edition
  
• June 2005 Edition
  
• May 2005 Edition
  
• April 2005 Edition
  
• March 2005 Edition
  
• February 2005 Edition
  
• January 2005 Edition

2004

• December 2004 Edition
  
• November 2004 Edition
  
• October 2004 Edition
  
• September 2004 Edition
  
• August 2004 Edition
  
• July 2004 Edition
  
• June 2004 Edition
  
• May 2004 Edition
  
• April 2004 Edition
  
• March 2004 Edition
  
• February 2004 Edition
  
• January 2004 Edition

2003

• December 2003 Edition
  
• November 2003 Edition
  
• September 2003 Edition
  
• August 2003 Edition
  
• July 2003 Edition
  
• June 2003 Edition