Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker took office three years ago with a mantra: It’s Go Time in Fort Worth.
The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, if it hasn’t necessarily adopted the slogan, is acting on the prompting.
As part of the Fort Worth EDP’s evolution, Chelsea Griffith has been hired as vice president of Investor Relations, the same position she held with the Fort Worth Chamber. The move is in conjunction with the Fort Worth EDP’s official separation recently from the Fort Worth Chamber.
“I really just see it as a continuance of my passion for moving the city forward,” Griffith said by phone. “One of the most critical efforts facing our city is making sure we're going on the offense when it comes to business recruitment and attraction for Fort Worth and the surrounding region.”
The Fort Worth EDP also announced a $500,000 gift from the Leo Potishman Foundation. With the gift, the Fort Worth EDP has successfully secured $3 million to date. It is determinedly working toward a $5 million annual goal.
The Fort Worth Chamber launched the Fort Worth EDP in March 2023. The entity was designed to market the region as a target destination for relocating companies. Robert Allen, a former aide to Gov. Greg Abbott and previously president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, was hired as its president and CEO.
Since then, the Fort Worth EDP has worked roughly 20 projects that have resulted in $1.4 billion in capital investment for the city and region, Griffith said. That has resulted in more than 4,500 jobs.
The EDP is planning to ramp up its operations and now “going on offense,” Griffith said, in 2025 and beyond.
“That's really thanks to investors like the Potishman Foundation,” Griffith said. “That's our biggest gift to date at $500,000. That's going to be the thing that allows us to start going on the offense and telling the Fort Worth story to the state and the rest of the nation.”
The Potishman Foundation also recently donated $2 million to the construction of Texas A&M-Fort Worth.
Leo Potishman, who died in 1981 at age 85, was a longtime Fort Worth businessman and philanthropist whose foundation continues to support local arts, education and community institutions.
The son of a Russian Jewish immigrant, Potishman, a rags-to-riches guy, was president and owner of Transit Grain Co. and Vit-A-Way Inc., which developed an additive of minerals and vitamins for livestock and poultry.
He served in the Army during World War I. After the war, he sold auto insurance and invested in oil. At age 21, he “retired” until he could decide what he wanted to do next.
He and grain found each other.
Potishman was also a founding board member of Lena Pope.
"Leo Potishman was an entrepreneur whose philanthropy continues to have a meaningful impact on Fort Worth today," said Elaine Agather, managing director/CEO of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the Central U.S. "This $500,000 gift from the Leo Potishman Foundation will do great things to support Fort Worth and bolster our local strategic economic development efforts."
In her role, Griffith will manage all investor relationships and business development. Her background includes roles in local government and the Fort Worth community. She has served as chief of staff for Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and chief of staff for Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. She began her career as an aide for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who, Griffith said, always thought Fort Worth needed an organization like the EDP to united the business community and elevate the city.
“And I think that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Griffith said.
"When I said yes to Fort Worth, I committed to assembling the best and brightest team possible," said Allen in a statement. “With Chelsea's vast experience working with elected officials in Texas and Fort Worth, combined with her extensive relationships in the business community, she is the perfect fit for this role."
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership was established in 2022.
