TCU Professor Analyzes Fort Worth's Economic Growth and Governance Strategy

Dr. Brandon Chicotsky, associate professor at Texas Christian University, private equity advisor, and founder of God Bless Retirement, recently appeared on The Building Texas Show to analyze Fort Worth's economic trajectory. The city recorded $6.7 billion in new capital investment in fiscal year 2025, marking its strongest performance in over a decade. Chicotsky attributed this growth to strategic developments in aerospace, technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing sectors, noting that companies actively recruit from TCU's top-ranked programs such as the TCU Sales Center where graduates often earn over $100,000 in their first year.

Chicotsky emphasized that Fort Worth's success stems from what he described as "sensible government" focused on practical outcomes rather than political performance. He contrasted this approach with other major cities that he suggested get "stuck in virtue signaling," highlighting Fort Worth's ability to operationalize government through projects like mixed-use urban infill in Westside Village. The professor pointed to collaborations with prominent developers and academic expansions including UTA West and Texas A&M's new downtown law school as evidence of the city's investable climate.

The economic strategy includes structured use of incentives, specifically Chapter 312 tax abatements and Chapter 380 "pay-as-you-go" agreements available through the City of Fort Worth. Chicotsky explained that these tools attract projects that expand the tax base without being used to patch budget shortfalls, a practice he contrasted with what he called "stuck cities" like Chicago or San Francisco. With approximately 66,000 undeveloped acres available, Fort Worth is positioned for what Chicotsky described as "quality growth that outpaces infrastructure costs."

Beyond economic policies, Chicotsky connected Fort Worth's success to its cultural identity and storytelling. He noted the city's unique blend of history and modernity, from its origins as a frontier fort to today's "Western chic" culture that includes thriving stockyards and a Paramount-backed production campus led by Taylor Sheridan. Tourism plays a significant economic role, with 11.5 million visitors in 2024 generating over $3.5 billion in economic impact. The full interview offers additional insights into Fort Worth's growth model and can be viewed on the Building Texas Show on YouTube.