Fort Worth says ‘Gig ’em’ to the opportunities of Texas A&M’s downtown expansion
Texas A&M’s Fort Worth expansion will be the cornerstone of the city’s economic growth, developer John Goff told a crowd Wednesday gathered at the future site of “Aggieland North.”
The $250 million project announced Wednesday will include a rebuilt law school, a research and innovation center, and an education alliance building. The campus will be the city’s first Tier One university.
Business leaders shared Goff’s enthusiasm with Raanan Horowitz, CEO of Elbit Systems of America, saying the new center will help his and other Fort Worth companies attract, retain, and train new talent. Elbit Systems is an aerospace defense company headquartered in Fort Worth.
Horowitz said his biggest challenge is finding talented workers for tech and advanced manufacturing jobs. While he acknowledged his company could build a talented workforce from across the country, Horowitz said he wanted to focus more on growing his company in Fort Worth.
“It’s a very welcoming business community. It’s a very patriotic state and business environment. We love being here,” Horowitz said.
District 9 council member Elizabeth Beck said the campus is an excellent opportunity to develop that section of downtown Fort Worth. She pointed to the developments in the Near Southside across the railroad tracks, and said A&M could have a similar impact.
Beck also highlighted Tarleton State University moving its nursing program to A&M’s campus downtown. She said this would be crucial because of the proximity to Fort Worth’s hospital district and the need for skilled nurses.
District 6 council member Jared Williams celebrated educational opportunities at A&M’s new campus. He said there’s potential to partner with A&M to create pathways for Fort Worth students looking to land high paying jobs in research and technology.
“The future of Fort Worth hinges in the balance of monumental partnerships like those that were made possible today,” said Mayor Mattie Parker.
Fort Worth is already a place people want to be, Parker said, but she emphasized the need to attract talent to keep the city growing. She said Texas A&M is going to make that possible.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 1:20 PM.
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