Plus, iconic sculptures will soon be displayed in the botanic garden.
 
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Movin’ on up

Fort Worth rises in the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities index
Fort Worth, TX skyline
Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 32 out of 200 large cities on the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities list. | Photo by @katebranning
Fort Worth is gaining national recognition once again for its growing economy. The Milken Institute, a nonprofit think tank, has included the Fort Worth-Arlington area in its 2024 Best-Performing Cities list. The list ranks 400+ US cities based on 13 economic factors, dividing the list by city size and ranking tiers.

So, how did Cowtown fare on this year’s list? Short answer: very well.

Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 32 out of 200 large cities, outranking places like San Antonio and Las Vegas. The region rose 12 spots after ranking No. 44 last year. Let’s break down a few of the economic indicators that contributed to the ranking, by the numbers.

Employment

The report considers wage and job increases as part of a city’s labor market performance. Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 25 for medium-term job growth this year, up from No. 61 in the 2020-2021 report.
  • Job growth, 2017-2022: No. 25
  • Wage growth, 2017-2022: No. 20

High-tech impact

When it comes to economic growth, the high-tech sector can’t be underestimated. The Milken Institute measured high-tech concentration and gross domestic product (GDP), which is the total of goods + services produced by a local high-tech industry.
  • High-tech GDP growth, 2017-2022: No. 177
  • High-tech GDP growth, 2021-2022: No. 143
FTW-LG Charging factory

Fort Worth is home to many manufacturing facilities like a newly announced electric vehicle charger factory. | Photo provided by LG Electronics USA

Economic opportunity

This category looked at the economic well-being of community members, including how factors like housing and income inequality impact their access to economic opportunities.
  • Households with affordable housing: No. 146
  • Households with broadband internet: No. 63
Learn more about how rankings were decided, and see the results of 400+ more cities on this interactive map.
 
Events
Thursday, Feb. 15
  • Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL | Thursday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $60-$154 | See a dazzling display of acrobatic feats and beautiful performances by skaters on the ice.
  • Spring Home & Garden Show | Thursday, Feb. 15-Saturday, Feb. 17 | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Spring is in the air — explore the latest interior design selections, join master garden seminars, and watch cooking demonstrations.
  • Metroplex Challenge 2024 | Thursday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth | $40 | This men’s + women’s gymnastics meet will feature athletes of all skill levels and wrap up with a day of college gymnastics with OU, Washington, Cal Berkeley, and Arkansas.
Friday, Feb. 16
  • A Valentine’s Day Paint + Pour | Friday, Feb. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | Swanky Spaces, 8703 W. Bedford Euless Rd., Ste., 150, North Richland Hills | $44-$81 | Bring your favorite beverage and paint to the soulful tunes of your favorite early 2000s R&B hits.
Saturday, Feb. 17
  • AIA Fort Worth Awards Ceremony | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth | $0-$28 | The program recognizes outstanding architectural, urban design, and unbuilt projects by architects practicing in the Fort Worth chapter.
Saturday, March 23
  • House of Hotrods Car Show | Saturday, March 23 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Summit Racing Equipment, 2200 E. Interstate 20, Arlington | Free | Calling all car enthusiasts: This one’s for you.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Jobs
  • The Fort Worth ISD school board announced it will not cut teachers from its staff in this round of layoffs. The announcement was made Tuesday night after the district cited declining enrollment and loss of funding for the staff cuts. It’s unclear which departments will see layoffs. (FOX4)
Civic
  • City Council approved an additional 2% hotel occupancy tax for the May 4 ballot. Earlier this week, city leaders voted to increase the occupancy tax to 17%, which is the current rate in Houston and Austin. The increase is expected to generate $10 million annually and will go toward local projects.
Trending
  • The baby boom isn’t over at the Fort Worth Zoo — zoo staff said a baby gorilla was born four to six weeks early via emergency cesarean section by medical specialists. The birth marks the third western lowland gorilla born at the zoo. Jameela was born about five weeks ago and is being cared for by staff. (CBS News)
Announced
  • American Airlines CEO Robert Islom will be the keynote speaker for the Fort Worth Chamber’s 2024 Annual Meeting. The year’s event is themed “Tradition Meets Transformation” and will be held at Cowtown Coliseum on Wednesday, March 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is now open.
Community
  • Fort Worth Police Department will host a Community Open House on Monday, Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. Residents can ask questions and share feedback with various departments. The open house will be held at the Eagle Mountain-Sagniaw ISD administration building at 5825 Marine Creek Pkwy.
Arts
  • The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will display 21 life-size sculptures by the late artist Steward Johnson from Friday, March 1 to Sunday, Sept. 1. Known for the iconic “Embracing Peace” sculpture, the head-turning exhibit will be strategically placed to blend the installations with their surroundings. The exhibit is included with general admission.
Show
  • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will bring “The Greatest Show on Earth” to Dickies Arena, Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 4. The show will feature musical performances blended with aerial artistry, modern comedy, and never-before-seen acts on a highwire. Tickets will go on sale February 20 at 10 a.m.
Coming Soon
  • North Carolina-based fried chicken restaurant Bojangles will start construction in April on a new Bedford location. The restaurant will be built at 1937 Airport Fwy. and is expected to open in October. It will be the chain’s fifth location in the Fort Worth area.
Pets
  • Give a round of a-paws for Henry — the official spokespup of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control — as he retires from service on Friday, Feb. 23. A retirement party will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. at the Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care and Control Center.
Fact or Fiction
  • Thompson’s Bookstore peddles craft cocktails and books. See the answer and plan your visit to this unique watering hole.*
Finance
  • If saving money is on your mind this year (and let’s face it, we could all use a bit more cushion in our emergency funds), this one’s for you. We’re exploring the benefits of share certificates with help from the experts at United Texas Credit Union. Learn more.*
Wellness
  • Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*
 
Sports

🏈 One step closer

6 Horned Frogs invited to 2024 NFL Draft Combine
FTW-TCU Football stadium
The players will head to Indianapolis at the end of the month. | Photo by FTWtoday
Six TCU football players were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. The Horned Frogs will go to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to show off their skill set from Monday, Feb. 26 through Monday, March 4.

Live coverage of the event will begin on Thursday, Feb. 29 on NFL Network and NFL+.

This year’s invitees are:
  • Running back Emani Bailey
  • Tight end Jared Wiley
  • Offensive tackle Andrew Coker
  • Offensive lineman Brandon Coleman
  • Safety Millard Bradford
  • Cornerback Josh Newton
Last year, TCU received nine invitations, which tied for the third-most in college football and most of any school from the Big 12 Conference.

The number of invitees is also a significant improvement from the 2022 season when TCU had only one player (Obinna Eze) invited to participate.

Last year, the school topped both the Lone Star State and all 10 Big 12 universities in the 2023 NFL Draft. TCU currently has 29 former players on active NFL rosters.
The Buy

The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.
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The Wrap
 
Rebecca McRobbie

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca
From the editor
La Casita Bakeshop — which was recently nominated as a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award — will open a new location in a few months in the 50-year-old Half Price Books in Dallas. Guests can stop by La Casita for espresso shots and croissants while browsing for books.

This might be a little far for people who don’t commute out of Fort Worth, but growing up in East Dallas, this bookstore holds a special place in my heart. I even spent last weekend there reading “Iron Flame.”
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