Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership Wins Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development for Second Year
Fort Worth, Texas—The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership has been selected by Site Selection magazine to receive the 2026 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development, the highest honor bestowed upon economic development organizations in the nation. The Fort Worth EDP is among 23 economic development organizations nationwide to receive the distinction this year.
“Fort Worth’s momentum is undeniable, and the Fort Worth EDP is a driving force behind it,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “Robert Allen and his team are helping attract top businesses and fueling our city’s record growth. This award is well deserved, and it’s only the beginning of what’s ahead for the EDP and our city.”
“We are happy to receive this award as it recognizes the extraordinary economic growth our city is experiencing,” said Robert Allen, President & CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership. “When it comes to economic development, Fort Worth has it all—a great community, a great workforce, and a great team of city leaders willing to work with business. We are proud of where we are, but even more excited about where we are headed.”
The Mac Conway Award pays tribute to the legacy of H. McKinley “Mac” Conway, the visionary founder of Conway Data and Site Selection magazine, who helped shape the modern field of economic development. The award celebrates organizations that deliver measurable results in attracting investment and opportunity to their communities. Recipients are selected through a rigorous index that includes Conway Projects Database project data and project-affiliated job creation and capital investment, the Milken Institute’s 2026 Best Performing Cities Index, and this year for the first time, metro-area talent data from the Lightcast Talent Attraction Scorecard 2025.
In the years since its founding in 2023, the Fort Worth EDP has played a central role in landing major investments for the city, including:
Ariat International — A global leader in performance western, work, and equestrian footwear and apparel announced a $72.6 million investment and 250 new jobs as part of a two-phase expansion of its regional headquarters in Fort Worth. Phase One includes an $8.9 million expansion of its existing regional headquarters, creating 150 new jobs, while Phase Two will add a new regional distribution center with an investment of $63.7 million supporting an additional 100 jobs.
Wistron Corporation — One of the world’s largest electronics manufacturers announced plans to establish two AI supercomputing facilities at AllianceTexas in Fort Worth. The project represents a total investment of $761 million and will create more than 800 full-time jobs.
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services — The company is expanding its presence in Fort Worth, adding more than 120 jobs at its headquarters in the AllianceTexas development. Employees from other U.S. Mercedes-Benz locations are relocating to the Fort Worth office through August 2026, with the expansion also including local hiring for new and open roles.
For more information on the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, visit fortworthedp.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kasey S. Pipes
Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership
(817) 542-3870
###70.