By: Henri Nilsen, Business Advocacy Manager The Texas Skills Development Fund (SDF) stands out as a key tool in modernizing the workforce and maintaining Texas’ competitive edge in an increasingly digital, global economy.  The rapid pace of technological advancement presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses. Whether integrating new technologies or navigating shifting market demands, […]

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule on determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor went into effect. The updated rule rescinds a 2021 version of the rule, and adopts a six factor “economic realities” test for making such a determination. Workers being classified as employees rather […]

Last month, SmartAsset released a report on the prevalence of remote work across the United States. With data on more than 340 different American cities and their remote workforce, it offers an opportunity for Fort Worth to benchmark itself against comparable communities across Texas and the rest of the United States

In January, the Fort Worth Chamber's Manufacturing Group gathered for a pivotal meeting focused on a subject critical to the industry's future: Talent/Workforce. The session provided insights into practical solutions, spearheaded by those at the forefront of innovation in workforce development.  Leading the conversation was Steve Stewart, the Director of People and Culture at Morton […]

In a collaborative effort to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the City’s Development Services Department, the City of Fort Worth has embarked on a comprehensive structural and efficiency study.

In a significant development for the Fort Worth’s burgeoning technology sector, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Fort Worth, recently met with representatives from Harnyss, a pioneering hydrogen storage solutions company. This meeting marks a key moment in Fort Worth's journey towards becoming a hub for innovative and sustainable energy solutions. 

On Monday, January 8, a sudden explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel sent shockwaves through downtown Fort Worth. In addition to an incredible response by first responders, the local business community showcased remarkable resilience and solidarity. 

December 14, 2023  The Fort Worth Chamber, in collaboration with city leaders and several community organizations, recently welcomed DrinkPAK to Fort Worth with a new initiative called Welcome Fort Worth. Welcome Fort Worth, a new onboarding process for businesses relocating to Fort Worth led by the Chamber and the City of Fort Worth, marks a […]

EOSERA's second annual EmpowHERment Pitch Competition was held in November during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The competition focuses on female founders—or women who own the highest percentage of their business—whose companies are located in Texas. EOSERA’s CEO, Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, got her start by winning a pitch competition in the early days of jump-starting her business.

In a remarkable achievement, Ampersand Coffee, one of the Fort Worth Chamber's Small Business of the Year winners for 2023, seized a unique opportunity to pitch their business at The Chase for Business: Make Your Move Summit. This prestigious event, which stands as one of the largest gatherings for small business owners in Texas, unfolded from November 1 to November 3 in Frisco.

The Fort Worth Chamber recently hosted "Build Your Fort Worth: Education," presented by EECU. This event featured a panel conversation with workforce and business development professionals who discussed strategies for bridging the gap between local businesses, educational institutions, and homegrown talent. 

The Fort Worth Chamber's Manufacturers Group is addressing barriers to business growth based on recent findings that underscore the pivotal role of manufacturing and infrastructure in Tarrant County's economy. 

Over the last three years, the Fort Worth Chamber has meticulously tracked the top three challenges local businesses are currently facing. Talent has consistently ranked among the top three challenges year after year.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. The Fort Worth Chamber's recent Business Retention and Expansion interviews have shed light on a key strategy for achieving this: micro certifications and continued education. As technology advances, so do the expectations and requirements within the workforce. As job roles and talent […]

Since late last year, Business Walks have become a pivotal component of the Fort Worth Chamber's Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) efforts. The organization’s area boards have embraced business walks to engage with small business owners in their respective communities. These face-to-face conversations have proved invaluable in gaining insights into business trends and challenges. In […]

In a bid to enhance the ease of relocating businesses to the vibrant city of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) and the City of Fort Worth are collaborating on an innovative onboarding process. Drawing insights from conversations with companies that have relocated in the past two years, the initiative aims to simplify the transition for businesses and their employees. 

A rigorous judging process for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Awards, concluded on Friday, September 8. The Awards, presented by Bank of Texas, recognize and honor Fort Worth small businesses that have demonstrated exemplary "Best Practices" in business. These awards celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that defines Fort Worth's business landscape.  

Eric Roberson of Reeder Distributors recently contacted the Fort Worth Chamber with concerns about flooding problems impacting local businesses. With the assistance of Ben Robertson, the Fort Worth Chamber's East Area Board Chair, a meeting was arranged involving TxDOT and the City of Fort Worth. Alongside these concerns, the Chamber has been collecting feedback on […]

In response to growing concerns voiced by businesses regarding unsheltered individuals, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce team initiated discussions with representatives from the City of Fort Worth who are engaged in different aspects connected to the homeless community. These interactions led to the identification of several practical recommendations that businesses can implement to effectively address the challenges posed by unsheltered individuals. 

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the City of Fort Worth's Development Department, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth to host a second Development 101 Workshop. This collaboration aimed to provide invaluable insights to individuals seeking to venture into real estate development, launch a new business, or expand an existing enterprise within the vibrant landscape of Fort Worth. 

In Fort Worth, Texas, the power of community collaboration shines through the efforts of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. A recent encounter involving a Chamber volunteer and a company in search of minority-owned subcontractors highlights the organization's commitment to fostering connections and promoting opportunities within the community.

In 1997, the Fort Worth Chamber introduced its Small Business of the Year Awards program. The first awards were presented in 1998 to SoHoPros (1 to 10 employees), Stuart Bacon (11 to 50 employees), and Sedalco (51 to 100 employees).  

The City of Fort Worth's Economic Development Department recently tapped the Fort Worth Chamber to initiate a youth cosmetology field trip with the vision to inspire and educate young female students in entrepreneurship and cosmetology career paths. With a shared goal of fostering education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship, this unique initiative showcased the city's commitment to nurturing its budding talents.  

A recent report was published by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), examining migration trends in the United States in 2020 and 2021 during the initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. By tracking households’ tax returns as they move from county to county, the EIG found “that the flight of workers and families from major cities […]

During these walks, Chamber representatives engage in face-to-face conversations with business owners, gaining insights into current business challenges and trends. This valuable information informs the Chamber's strategies and initiatives, tailoring its support to best serve the community. 

With career readiness ranking as a top concern for employers, especially among K-12 students, the Fort Worth Chamber and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County have joined forces to present valuable information to T3 (Tarrant To and Through) counselors. The collaborative effort aims to equip counselors with insights on college and career opportunities, enabling them to guide students and parents through their academic and vocational journeys.  

Volunteers are critical as the Fort Worth Chamber focuses on business climate challenges. Members of its Area Boards and Business Retention and Expansion Committee proactively connect with existing businesses to learn how to ensure that businesses stay and grow in Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Chamber proudly announces the formation of its inaugural Corporate BRE (Business Retention & Expansion) Team. This team was formed by John Vallance, Audit Partner for Whitley, and is made up of ten exceptional individuals who will play a pivotal role in garnering feedback from their clients. 

 July 21, 2023  The Fort Worth Chamber will celebrate the grand opening of its newest member, Dogtopia, on Wednesday, August 9.  Navigating the permitting process can be a complex task for any business, and Dogtopia was no exception. In a stroke of good fortune, the Fort Worth Chamber stepped in to lend a helping hand.  […]

In the wake of the recent shooting incident in the Fort Worth Como area on July 3rd, the West Area Board members of the Fort Worth Chamber extended their support to local businesses affected by the tragedy.

The Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) and Southeast Fort Worth Inc. recently joined forces to conduct a business walk in Southeast Fort Worth in support of efforts towards the Fort Worth Main Street  Program, a local program that partners with a national organization, Main Street America whose aim is to support local organizations & neighborhood stakeholders […]

This endeavor, made possible by a lead from FWC’s BRE committee member David Campbell, aims to improve traffic safety for trucks entering Renfro's Salsa loading zone.

The Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) is actively engaged in business retention and expansion efforts, more recently, with a focus on the manufacturing industry. In its business retention and expansion (BRE) efforts, the Fort Worth Chamber conducted comprehensive business interviews and research over the last several years. Findings revealed that the manufacturing industry held the greatest potential for expansion within the region.

The Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) recently hosted a crucial meeting aimed at developing an effective onboarding process for companies relocating to the vibrant city. The transition from being considered a prospective member of the Fort Worth business community to a fully engaged local business is a critical step in the relocation process. The group, convened and lead by co-chairs Ben Robertson, Chair of FWC’s East Area Board and member of the FWC’s Business Retention and Expansion Committee, and Robert Sturns, Director of Economic Development for the City of Fort Worth, will seek to fill the current gap in relocation stewardship. 

The Area Boards and Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Committee have been enhancing and fine-tuning their quarterly reporting website to offer a host of additional visual resources for users.

While talent was the main challenge identified by companies last year in our Business Retention and Expansion conversations, 90% of the companies identified soft skills as a top hiring challenge in the current workforce climate.