Fort Worth's Small Business Certification Program Boosts Diversity

0:00It's April 7th. This is Dallas News Today, powered by AI. Fort Worth rolled out a small business certification program last August, swapping out old goals for women in minority-owned firms. Now, 655 companies across North Texas are certified, mostly in Tarrin County, with 476, and the rest spread. DuDenton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise Counties. The set up aims for 30% small business use on local construction projects like water lines and streets. Certified spots get a 5% edge on bids under $100,000, plus help hitting that target on bigger jobs, opening doors to. City cash flow. City leaders say it tackles real barriers for small contractors, from bonding to know-how, after pausing DEI pushes to match federal rules. Chamber heads are all in, calling the shift smooth sailing in uncharted waters and already linking businesses to deals. To speed it up, they piloted with a regional agency for $96,250, greenlighting 85 certs

1:04quick sum in, just 24 hours. They also locked in 13-month deals with black, Hispanic, and main chambers for 270,000 each on the first two, 100, 85,000 for the last, building training and networks. With a new advisory board and fresh contract wins like a $250,000 insurance pick, Fort Worth's small business scene is primed. To grow stronger ties and bigger opportunities ahead.