Top industry leaders on why Fort Worth is ‘one of the greatest’ cities for business
Fort Worth business leaders discussed tariffs, major economic development projects and what investments are crucial to the city’s growth at a Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday.
Held at the Kimbell Art Museum, the talk focused on the interconnectedness of Fort Worth’s economic development. Rapid population growth, a major factor attracting companies to North Texas, has expanded the area’s workforce pipeline and business landscape in recent years.
Holly Schroeder, vice president for external affairs at DrinkPak, said the California-based company was drawn to Fort Worth because of its location in the center of the country.
DrinkPak, a drink packaging company, is investing $200 million to build a new manufacturing facility in north Fort Worth, which is expected to employ 400 people.
Schroeder said tariffs on European goods are a challenge for the company because the manufacturing equipment it uses is not available domestically.
“We are working and scrambling like mad to get as much of our equipment in in the 90-day window that we have right now,” Schroeder said. “We’re hoping that it’s extended, and really hoping that at some point the administration recognizes that we need an exemption for manufacturing equipment. If we’re going to try to manufacture more domestically, we have to have the equipment with which to do so.”
Over 58% of Texas business executives surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in April said they expect tariffs to have a negative impact on their business this year.
DrinkPak plans to begin hiring locally in August and September. The company’s new facility in Fort Worth’s Carter Park East business park is expected to produce up to 2,600 cans of product per minute.
Jim Crawford, vice president and plant manager at Molson Coors Beverage Co., said it’s easy for the company to find talent in Fort Worth.
“We never had a problem finding talent in Fort Worth. It’s actually quite easy for us to find transferable skill sets that we can easily assimilate into our business to help us be successful,” Crawford said.
Molson Coors has operated its Fort Worth brewery at 7001 South Freeway, the birthplace of Miller Lite, since 1969. The facility employs about 520 people.
The company opened a new $65 million packer facility in 2023.
Adapting to growth
Ken Buchanan, the executive vice president of revenue management and customer experience at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, said the large travel hub is one of the main reasons businesses open up operations in the region.
“Great airports help facilitate great communities, and we’re standing right here in one of the greatest communities in America, Fort Worth,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan also highlighted the airport’s growth momentum. A number of infrastructure improvement projects are underway at DFW, including the renovation of Terminal C and construction of Terminal F, a new 31-gate terminal.
The head of Trinity Metro said focusing on mobility is a key part of the city’s growth.
“If you have means, mobility is not necessarily a factor for you,” said Rich Andreski, president and CEO of the transit system. “But in a city of a million and growing, we need to be sure that everyone is able to move about quickly and efficiently.”
One in three Tarrant County residents uses Trinity Metro every year, according to the organization.
Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, said growing national awareness of the city is crucial. He said Fort Worth shouldn’t try to emulate other cities, because its authenticity makes it special.
“At the EDP, all we’re trying to do is help Fort Worth be the best version of itself, full stop,” Allen said.
This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM.
