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Fort Worth:
Telecommunications and Logistics

Fort Worth (population 516,000) anchors the western half of the Metroplex. Like Dallas, Fort Worth has been successful in attracting a balanced blend of manufacturing, service and distribution companies.

Last year, Ameritrade Holding Corp. opened a 140,000-sq.-ft. (13,006-sq.-m.) service brokerage service facility at Alliance Gateway north of Fort Worth. "Ameritrade and its online brokerage service is like so many of Fort Worth's companies that are leaders in their industries," says Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr.

Based in Omaha, Neb., Ameritrade was responding to a surge in demand for its online services. Since opening last winter, the new facility houses more than 1,200 jobs, including licensed brokers, customer service representatives, and data processing and communications technicians. Ameritrade said the relocation decision was based on the quality of work force, business suitability and overall quality of life in the Fort Worth area.

Ameritrade is just one of the recent additions to the 15,000-acre (6,075-hectare) Alliance Texas development. In February, Galderma Laboratories, a pharmaceutical subsidiary of L'Oreal and Nestle, held a groundbreaking for its U.S. headquarters at Alliance Center as well.

Fort Worth's transportation infrastructure and work force are attracting other types of domestic and international investment. Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee, a Toronto company, recently picked Fort Worth for its only U.S. manufacturing facility. Valio, a French multinational, has also established a manufacturing facility in the area. One growing business park is Railhead Fort Worth, whose new residents include Albertson's, Potlatch and URS Americold.

Downtown Fort Worth is also being revitalized, despite the damaging effects of a March tornado. "That has re-galvanized the community's commitment to continued revitalization," says Bill Thornton, executive vice president, Fort Worth Chamber. "Our local businesses are back and doing well."