A recap of the Fort Worth EDP’s 2025 Annual Meeting, celebrating major economic development milestones and an engaging discussion with MP Materials’ CEO on Fort Worth’s growing economic momentum.
By Katie McConnell, Associate | Nov. 25, 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Fort Worth EDP hosted its second annual gathering of investors and stakeholders at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The evening featured a fireside chat with MP Materials’ Chairman & CEO, James Litinsky, in conversation with Hillwood President and Fort Worth EDP Board Chair, Mike Berry.
Guests began the evening with an opening reception in the museum’s atrium, where archival and contemporary footage of Fort Worth was projected across the walls of the iconic architectural space. Spirits were high as attendees enjoyed the museum’s renowned art collection and anticipated the start of the speaker program.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Mark Johnson, grandson of the museum’s namesake. Johnson reflected on the leadership and devotion Amon Carter brought to Fort Worth, encouraging attendees to continue that legacy through their own civic and business leadership. Mayor Mattie Parker followed with words of support, highlighting the Fort Worth EDP’s progress and reaffirming the city’s commitment to a vibrant economic future.
Robert Allen, President & CEO of the Fort Worth EDP, then provided an update on the organization’s achievements over its 2.5-year history. He noted that the EDP has helped drive nearly $10 billion in capital investment and more than 11,000 jobs for Fort Worth. Among other milestones, the organization earned the 2025 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development. Allen also acknowledged the challenges ahead but energized the audience with the announcement of a new marketing campaign launching in 2026 to accelerate business recruitment in target industries.
Following Allen’s presentation, MP Materials’ James Litinsky joined Hillwood’s Mike Berry for a Fort Worth-focused fireside chat. After months of national headlines about MP Materials, attendees were eager to hear directly from the company’s founder. Litinsky recounted the origins and growth of MP Materials over the past decade, including the decision to establish a manufacturing presence in Fort Worth. Although the city wasn’t on the company’s initial list of potential locations, he emphasized that Fort Worth’s business-friendly environment and strong network of local support quickly made it the clear choice.
The conversation also highlighted MP Materials’ recent milestones, including landmark partnerships with the Department of War and Apple, and the company’s role in the revival of American manufacturing. As the nation’s only fully integrated rare-earth producer, MP Materials is helping strengthen domestic supply chains in a sector long dominated by foreign competition. Litinsky explained the importance of rare-earth magnets and how MP Materials’ products underpin critical technologies essential to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.
Throughout the evening, myriad announcements about new activity in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, advanced aerospace and defense, and strategic real estate projects, among others, underscored Fort Worth’s momentum and economic resilience. While obstacles undoubtedly lie ahead, the Fort Worth EDP is well-positioned to help make Fort Worth one of the most sustainable and vibrant cities in the nation—for this generation and the next—due to the leadership and support of the investors and stakeholders in the room that continue to fuel this ambitious, community-driven mission. The Fort Worth EDP communicated its gratitude to its partners—including the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Worth, and numerous other organizations dedicated to this city—and concluded the night with a toast to 2026 and a preview of the Museum galleries.
The Fort Worth EDP is enthusiastic about the path ahead, with ambitious goals for 2026 to outpace the record-breaking year that Fort Worth set in 2025. Find the full gallery of photos from the evening here.
If you’re interested in joining this team of investors or attending the Fort Worth EDP’s next Investor Briefing in January 2026, please contact Chelsea@FortWorthEDP.com or visit the EDP’s About page.