Robert Allen, CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, said the city has attracted nearly $2 billion in capital investment this year. He said the investment is expected to bring an estimated 4,100 new jobs. The investments include multimillion-dollar facilities from eye-care company Alcon and Marand, a supplier to Lockheed Martin.
Allen said aviation and defense projects in the city's pipeline have doubled from 2025 to 2026. He said it is the largest gain in a single sector over time. Allen said the goal is jobs for people moving to Fort Worth and for longtime residents.
Juan Carlos Martinez, an economics professor at Dallas College, said the investment shows the city's economic momentum. Martinez said a large regional population can help an area, and that a distinct identity can help cities stand out. He pointed to Fort Worth's Western heritage, which drew attention during the World Cup, when visitors experienced the Stockyards and cowboy culture.