Abbott says Fort Worth’s business recruitment in good hands with his former deputy
Just one day after he was named the head of Fort Worth’s business recruitment, Robert Allen got an endorsement from his former boss: Gov. Greg Abbott.
The governor spoke to about 200 business leaders Wednesday during the Fort Worth Chamber’s Leaders in Government luncheon. He praised Allen, his former deputy chief of staff, who will soon head the newly formed Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
The Fort Worth Chamber announced the new organization on Tuesday, which will take over business recruitment and attraction responsibilities. Allen, who starts April 3 in his new role, currently serves as the president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corp. based in Austin.
During his remarks at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel, Abbott said Allen’s deep connections to businesses across the country and contacts across the globe should spur economic growth even more in the Fort Worth area.
“One way that we achieve success in Texas through economic development is by each region succeeding,” Abbott said. “As great as Fort Worth is, this is the beginning.”
When Fort Worth succeeds in economic development, it helps the entire state, Abbott said.
“Fort Worth will go to new heights,” Abbott said. “That will help the state of Texas, so it’s really a win-win situation.”
Over the past month, Abbott has been visiting several chambers of commerce across the state to discuss his legislative vision, economic development issues and initiatives, the state of Texas’ workforce and property tax relief. In late February, Abbott visited the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and discussed many similar topics from Wednesday’s Fort Worth event.
Abbott praised TCU’s successful football season and the impact it will have on economic development. He also highlighted the upcoming Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus and the role it will play in attracting new businesses, generating new investment downtown and producing well-educated graduates for the workforce.
Texas A&M-Fort Worth will redefine downtown, spur economic growth and expand research and development opportunities, Abbott said.
Abbott also referenced several data points emphasizing economic prosperity in Texas:
Over the past 12 years, Texas has added more new jobs than any other state.
Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, as of this past year.
Texas has an annual GDP of more than $2 trillion.
More than 95% of all businesses in the state are small businesses, and they employ more than half of all working Texans.
As part of his legislative vision, Abbott discussed providing a property tax incentive of $100,000 for business personal property in an effort to lower the cost of doing business so more small businesses can succeed.
This story was originally published March 15, 2023 at 4:14 PM.
