Fort Worth Council Votes on $270K Small Business Support Program
BREAKING: The Fort Worth City Council is set to vote on a pivotal $270,000 funding initiative aimed at bolstering local small businesses. This urgent meeting takes place today, August 25, 2025, as the city seeks to replace lost diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives with a new economic development program.
If approved, the Fort Worth Small Business Economic Development Program will provide essential contract preferences to businesses certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This move is critical as it aims to mitigate the adverse effects of suspending previous DEI efforts that supported minority- and women-owned enterprises.
Michelle Green-Ford, president of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration among local chambers during the council meeting. “I am confident that we can move forward with a plan that will develop all of our small businesses,” she stated. The city’s decision follows a contentious vote earlier this month, where council members approved a 7-4 decision to halt DEI initiatives to comply with federal guidelines affecting millions in federal funding.
Today’s funding proposal includes $270,000 each for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, alongside $185,000 for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. These funds will enhance services aimed at helping small businesses secure city contracts.
The new program, designed as a two-tier system, will give small businesses bidding on projects under $100,000 a 5% bid preference. For larger contracts exceeding $100,000, the city is implementing an ambitious 30% small business utilization goal.
Ericka Garza, president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, highlighted the importance of adapting to the changing legal landscape while supporting local enterprises. “The structure and clarity of the city’s proposed program gives us a more defined framework,” she noted, indicating a strategic approach to matching qualified businesses with contracting opportunities.
The council’s decision today could reshape the landscape for Fort Worth’s small businesses, impacting numerous sectors from agriculture to aviation. This program is essential for fostering economic growth and ensuring that small businesses remain the heartbeat of the community.
Follow this developing story for updates on the council’s decision and its implications for local businesses. The future of Fort Worth’s economic landscape hangs in the balance as stakeholders await the council’s vote.
