Fort Worth Launches Free Program for Small Business Owners

Small business owners in Fort Worth just got a major boost in their quest to land government contracts and grow their companies.

The city launched its Small Business Development Program to help local entrepreneurs navigate the often confusing world of public sector contracts. The program offers free training, certification help, and direct connections to contracting opportunities with the city.

At the heart of the program is the Small Business Enterprise certification, which gives owners a 5% advantage when bidding on city contracts up to $100,000. For a small company competing against larger firms, that edge can make all the difference.

Fort Worth partnered with the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency to run quarterly workshops that walk business owners through the entire certification process. The first session happens February 25 at the Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center, with separate workshops in English and Spanish to ensure language isn't a barrier to success.

The program goes beyond paperwork. It connects small businesses with local chambers of commerce, certification agencies, and community organizations to build a support network that helps companies thrive long after they win their first contract.

Assistant Director of Economic Development Ori Fernandez says the program has become essential to supporting Fort Worth's small business community. The goal is helping these companies build capacity, form relationships, and access resources that fuel real growth.

The initiative also supports veteran-owned businesses and offers development classes at the Business Assistance Center, creating pathways for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.

The Ripple Effect

When small businesses succeed, entire communities benefit. These companies create local jobs, keep money circulating in neighborhoods, and bring innovation to industries that need fresh perspectives. By making it easier for small firms to compete for public contracts, Fort Worth is investing in its own economic future while leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs who might otherwise get shut out of government work.

The quarterly workshop model means business owners can join the program whenever they're ready, and the multilingual approach ensures the city's diverse business community can participate fully.

Fort Worth is proving that economic development works best when everyone gets a fair shot at success.