During the 2025 State of American Business program on January 17, 2025, chamber CEOs from North Texas shared insights on the region's economic growth. Stephen Waguespack, President of the Institute for Legal Reform and Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber, moderated a panel featuring Beth Bowman from the Greater Irving Las Colinas Chamber, Kelly Hall from the Longview Chamber, and Michael Jacobson from the Greater Arlington Chamber [83fe9843].
Bowman emphasized the strategic advantage of Irving-Las Colinas' central location and its global accessibility, which has attracted significant business investments. Hall highlighted Longview's manufacturing boom, driven by billion-dollar investments that have revitalized the local economy. Jacobson praised Arlington's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, which fosters innovation and supports small businesses [83fe9843].
The panelists discussed the ripple effect that large corporations have on small businesses, noting that as major companies thrive, they create opportunities for smaller enterprises to grow. However, they also raised concerns about federal regulations and tax policies that could hinder innovation and economic expansion in the region. To counter these challenges, they called for collaboration among chambers, businesses, and policymakers to sustain Texas' economic leadership [83fe9843].
In a related discussion, Dan Hunt, president and co-owner of FC Dallas, highlighted the importance of pro-growth policies in attracting businesses to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Hunt noted that Texas officials promote a tax-friendly environment and provide incentives to spur investment. He emphasized the $140 million annual economic impact of FC Dallas' Toyota Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the 2028 season [105ced05].
The upcoming 2026 World Cup is also expected to drive significant economic activity, with games scheduled in NFL stadiums, showcasing the U.S.'s ability to monetize professional sports [105ced05]. In the broader context, Fort Worth, Texas has been ranked as the No. 2 best economic boomtown in America, outperforming all major cities in Texas, according to a study by CoworkingCafe. The study evaluated cities based on economic growth, GDP, employment rates, and housing, with Fort Worth earning a score of 64 points in the large city category, just two points behind Mesa, Arizona [7a46b6c3].
The U.S. economy is projected to grow at a rate of 2.7% in 2024, reaching $28.096 trillion, driven by increased consumer spending, a robust labor market, and stable business and government spending [e2437d97]. Fort Worth's economic success can be attributed to its population growth, steady increase in housing, and the attraction of major businesses across various industries, contributing to significant growth in business applications, trade-exports, GDP, median earnings, educational attainment, infrastructure, and employment rates from 2018 to 2022 [7a46b6c3].