Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, is spearheading efforts to elevate the city’s economic profile by emphasizing logistics, aviation, defense, advanced manufacturing, and skilled workforce development. With over a million residents, Fort Worth is expanding rapidly, particularly in its northern and western regions where ample land remains available for future projects.
Allen, who previously served as deputy chief of staff to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and led the state’s economic development initiatives, brings extensive experience to his current role. The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, established nearly three years ago as an independent nonprofit, has raised $4.2 million toward its $5 million annual fundraising goal to support attraction and retention of businesses.
A major milestone was Bell Textron Inc.’s commitment to invest $632 million in producing the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (MV-25) in north Fort Worth. The project, supported by a potential $70 billion U.S. Army contract, is expected to transform the regional economy and strengthen national defense capabilities. Allen also highlighted the ongoing production of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jet as a cornerstone of the city’s defense industry presence.
Education and workforce readiness are central to Allen’s vision. He stressed the importance of collaboration between city leaders, businesses, and academic institutions to prepare residents for high-tech and advanced manufacturing roles. Initiatives such as the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus, redevelopment at Texas Christian University, and the upcoming UTA West campus near Aledo are expected to enhance talent pipelines.
Allen emphasized that institutions like Texas Wesleyan University and Tarleton State University’s Fort Worth campus play a vital role in expanding access to higher education and increasing enrollment. He also called for civic engagement to improve literacy rates in the Fort Worth Independent School District, which faces academic challenges and potential state intervention. Superintendent Karen Molinar, who assumed leadership in March, is seen as capable of leading necessary reforms.
Film and television production is another growing sector. A 450,000-square-foot studio developed by “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios, Hillwood, and Paramount Television in the Alliance area is expected to employ hundreds of skilled workers in carpentry, tailoring, and technical roles. Allen noted that media exposure from such productions enhances the city’s visibility and appeal.
Transportation infrastructure remains a priority. While traffic congestion is a concern, Allen expressed optimism due to planned highway expansions by the Texas Department of Transportation. He underscored the need for regional cooperation to address shared challenges in transportation, water, and power resources.
Allen’s guiding principle is to “be loud and be proud” in promoting Fort Worth’s assets. His focus is on attracting companies that plan long-term commitments—ideally 50 years or more. Every new job, he said, represents an opportunity for broader economic transformation.
— news from Fort Worth Report
— News Original —
‘Be loud, be proud’: Robert Allen discusses Fort Worth’s economic development strategy
Robert Allen is telling the story of Fort Worth. n nThe president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership continually touts the city’s attributes — its logistics, aviation and defense hubs, advanced manufacturing facilities, available land, emerging skilled workforce and cultural heritage — in his efforts to attract and retain businesses and promote smart, strategic developments. n nAllen detailed his work during a Newsmaker Q&A conversation Sept. 16 with Fort Worth Report business editor Bob Francis who covers economic growth. n nAllen, a Dallas native, came to Fort Worth after years of working in Austin for John Cornyn and Greg Abbott when each man held the Texas attorney general post. Abbott, as governor, tapped Allen to be his deputy chief of staff for two years and later selected him to lead state economic development efforts for six years. n nThe independent leadership of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, now almost three years old, allows the team to stay fresh and innovative as they work on attracting businesses, Allen said. His team works hand in hand with others, including the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, which handles more traditional business activities. n n“It frees us up to focus on attraction and retention,” he said. n nSo far this year, the privately funded nonprofit has raised about $4.2 million for its economic development efforts. The group’s goal is $5 million. n nThe partnership works with C-level executives to get input on where the city should focus its efforts to attract new opportunities. Growth in the manufacturing, aviation, defense and logistical industries are helping drive the city beyond 1 million residents, Allen said. n nHis goal is to take Fort Worth’s economic development to the next level by securing a Fortune 500 company’s relocation to the city, he said. n nCorporate retention is a core tenant of his role. Allen is working to bring businesses to Fort Worth that want to stay 50 years or longer. n nHis team partners with business executives and city leaders to address challenges to economic growth, such as education. n nAllen said his economic team works hard behind the scenes — sometimes up to a year — to promote the city to businesses that are considering a move to Fort Worth. n n“That’s when the list of questions begins to develop,” Allen said. n nKey wins include a commitment from Bell Textron Inc. for a $632 million investment to produce the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, also known as the MV-75, he said. Abbott joined Mayor Mattie Parker and Bell president and CEO Lisa Atherton for the Dec. 17 announcement in north Fort Worth. n n“This project is obviously transformational for Tarrant County … as well as in Denton County,” Abbott said at the time. “But also, it’s transformative for the future of the state of Texas, our workforce, but maybe most importantly, it’s transformative for our United States military.” n nBell’s contract with the U.S. Army — potentially worth up to $70 billion — “is a tremendous, tremendous opportunity,” Allen said during his conversation with the Report. n nHe also pointed to the Fort Worth production of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jet as another example of the city’s strong connection to the defense industry. Anything that involves the military, he said, is important to the city. n n“That’s something I’m going to support,” he said. n nPreparation is important in attracting businesses. In his household, Allen said, the motto “luck favors the prepared” rings true. n nMore efforts are needed to attract money for research and development in Fort Worth, he said. n nThe new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus rising downtown will help as well as redevelopment efforts at Texas Christian University and the building of the UTA West campus near Aledo. Other schools, such as Texas Wesleyan University and Tarleton State University’s Fort Worth campus, are also doing good work growing enrollment and educating students, he said. n nFort Worth’s higher education institutions play a “critical role” in economic development, he said. n nCivic engagement in the process to improve literacy among Fort Worth ISD students is also important, Allen said. Many have called for improvements at the school district, which faces a possible state takeover because of poor student academic performance. n nAllen said FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar, who took up the post in March, is up to the challenge. n n“We need to do better,” he said. n nTurnaround efforts will help to develop a strong workforce that will be qualified for jobs in advanced technology and other emerging industries. n n“Workforce (development) for us is No. 1,” Allen said. n nFilm and television production in Fort Worth is advancing rapidly. “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan and 101 Studios CEO David Glasser partnered with Hillwood and Paramount Television to open a 450,000-square-foot production facility in the Alliance area. n n“The ‘Yellowstone effect’ is real,” Allen said, noting that the production studio will employ hundreds of people who are carpenters, tailors and other skilled workers to support film and television ventures. n nThe city is often seen as a backdrop in “Yellowstone” and other related shows. Those TV shows and films “put eyeballs on our great city,” Allen said. n nFrancis noted that the city’s growth will increase transportation needs. Allen said he is optimistic about traffic congestion since the Texas Department of Transportation is planning several projects to improve and expand highways in the Fort Worth area. n nTransportation is a regional issue that area leaders must work together on for solutions, he said. n nMore growth is expected in the city’s booming northern and western areas since Fort Worth has large tracts of land still available for development. n nThose areas, he said, “can continue to develop for a long time.” n nIt’s important that city and regional leaders find ways to overcome challenges in power and water resources so growth isn’t hampered, Allen said. Complacency, he said, will hurt businesses. n nAllen’s strategy for economic development is to “be loud and be proud” in promoting Fort Worth. n n“Every new job we create is an opportunity for something new,” Allen said. n nEric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org. n nNews decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here. n nRelated n nFort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.