The executive board of the Fort Worth Chamber on Tuesday announced the formation of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership to lead business recruitment and attraction for the city, the chamber announced.
Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, based in Austin, has been tapped to lead the new organization.
In a press release, the chamber said the announcement “culminates several months of research and analysis conducted by the FWC’s Executive Board.”
“We have made the decision to focus and prioritize the FWC’s efforts where it can have the most positive impact on and for our business community,” said Fort Worth Chamber Chair Rosa Navejar in a statement. “We looked at various models of how comparable cities drive business attraction and retention compared to Fort Worth.
“While chambers play an important role, the executive board is focusing the FWC’s activities on supporting local business through enlargement of business retention and expansion programs, workforce development, government advocacy, infrastructure and transportation efforts, and educational programs that promote a vibrant business community throughout Fort Worth.”
The creation of the office represents a new paradigm for the chamber.
Previously, in partnership with the city, the chamber led business attraction and recruiting efforts in addition to all the other chamber priorities and responsibilities.
“Many cities the size of Fort Worth have chosen to separate business recruitment activities from traditional chamber functions,” according to Mike Berry, interim president of the chamber.
The FWEDP, a 501(c)(6), has been formed to lead economic development and business attraction efforts.
During his six years leading the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Allen, a graduate of the University of Texas, spearheaded initiatives that advanced the organization’s mission to market Texas to business interests, including major international business missions to Japan, India, and Europe.
Texas is home to the most Fortune 500 headquarters in America. Allen was credited with building relationships with top executives and creating a dialogue among them to share information between industries.
Additionally, under Allen’s leadership, TxEDC hosted many premier events featuring industry executives from across the state. He has spoken at economic development conferences, and alongside his team, he raised nearly $20 million to promote Texas and support the day-to-day activities of TxEDC.
Prior to joining the governor’s staff, where he managed the daily administration and operation of the 250-employee agency, Allen served in executive roles in the attorney general’s office when Abbott served there.
“Getting someone the caliber of Robert Allen to spearhead the economic development efforts for Fort Worth is a tremendous boost for our city,” said Navejar. “There is no one in Texas that has a better perspective, better relationships, and proven results than Robert Allen.”
