City program offers workshops and resources to help small businesses succeed in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas – The City of Fort Worth is encouraging small businesses to expand their opportunities and strengthen their long-term growth through its Small Business Development Program, an initiative designed to help local entrepreneurs succeed in a competitive marketplace.
City leaders say the Small Business Development Program, commonly known as the SBDP, serves as a cornerstone for economic growth by addressing the unique challenges small businesses face. The program focuses on increasing access to resources, encouraging innovation, and strengthening collaboration across industries to ensure sustainability for both the business community and the local workforce.
Helping Small Businesses Navigate City Contracting
One of the program’s primary goals is to help small businesses understand and navigate public sector procurement so they can participate in and compete for City of Fort Worth contracts. Officials say gaining eligibility is the first step toward doing business with the city.
Business owners can begin by obtaining Small Business Enterprise certification, which provides a 5 percent bid preference on city contracts valued up to $100,000. This advantage can make a meaningful difference when competing for municipal work.
To support business owners through the certification process, the city is partnering with the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency to host quarterly workshops. These sessions will guide participants through the certification process and explain how it can support long-term business growth.
The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center. The session will be offered in two languages, with the English workshop running from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and the Spanish workshop from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., ensuring broader access for the city’s diverse business community.
Broader Support and Community Partnerships
Beyond certification assistance, the Small Business Development Program supports additional workforce and business initiatives. These include business development classes offered at the Business Assistance Center and specialized programs for veteran-owned businesses.
The program is built on collaboration. Local certification agencies, community organizations, and Fort Worth’s three chambers of commerce work together to ensure small businesses have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive.
“The Small Business Development Program has really become a cornerstone of our work to help support our small business community,” said Ori Fernandez, Assistant Director of Economic Development.
“In partnership with the chambers, we’re trying to help these small businesses strengthen their capacity, build supportive relationships in the community and access meaningful resources to help them grow.”
City officials emphasize that strengthening small businesses strengthens the local economy as a whole. By improving access to contracts, training, and collaborative support, the Small Business Development Program aims to cultivate a resilient and innovative business environment that benefits Fort Worth residents and workers across industry sectors.
