Bob on Business: South Fort Worth sees strong industrial growth – Fort Worth Report

Report on Economic Development in South Fort Worth and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Recent commercial and industrial development activities in the South Fort Worth area indicate a significant contribution toward achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines key projects and analyzes their impact on sustainable economic growth, infrastructure, and community resilience.

Infrastructure and Industrial Development: Fostering Economic Growth and Resilient Communities

A series of large-scale logistics and industrial park constructions are underway, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). These projects enhance regional infrastructure, create employment, and bolster the local economy.

• Carter Crossing: A speculative logistics park developed by Holt Lunsford Commercial.
  • Scale: Over 1 million square feet across 83 acres.
  • SDG Alignment: Primarily supports SDG 8 through job creation in construction and logistics and SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure.
• Fort Worth I-35 Logistics Center: A two-building development by Ascendant Commercial.
  • Scale: 1.3 million square feet.
  • SDG Alignment: Contributes to SDG 8 by providing long-term employment and SDG 11 by fostering economic resilience within the community.
• Carter Park 35: A two-building project by Alto Real Estate Funds.
  • Scale: 341,677 square feet on 20 acres.
  • SDG Alignment: Advances SDG 9 by expanding and modernizing the region’s industrial capacity.
• Campus Industrial Park: A two-building site developed by Empire Holdings.
  • Scale: 107,560 square feet.
  • SDG Alignment: Supports local economic diversification and job creation, in line with SDG 8.
• Risinger/35 Logistics Park: A major development by Hillwood for Continental Tire and Dicks Sporting Goods.
  • Scale: 1.6 million square feet.
  • SDG Alignment: Strengthens national supply chains (SDG 9) and creates a significant number of jobs in distribution, furthering the objectives of SDG 8.

Advancements in Sustainable Food Production and Manufacturing

The establishment of a new food manufacturing facility by SPC Group, the parent company of Paris Baguette, highlights progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Project: SPC Group’s first dough manufacturing facility in North America, located in Burleson’s Highpoint Business Park.
2. Investment: A $200 million-plus project resulting in a 267,000-square-foot facility.
3. Impact on SDGs:
   • SDG 8: The creation of 450 new jobs provides a substantial boost to local employment and economic growth.
   • SDG 9: The project represents a significant investment in modern industrial infrastructure for food production.
   • SDG 12: The facility offers an opportunity to implement sustainable production patterns and efficient resource management within the food supply chain.

Corporate Acquisitions Driving Innovation and Sector Efficiency

Strategic corporate acquisitions in the technology and energy logistics sectors are poised to enhance innovation and operational efficiency, aligning with multiple SDGs.

• SEGG Media Corp. Acquisition of Triggy.AI:
  • Focus: A Fort Worth-based gaming group is acquiring an artificial intelligence technology company.
  • SDG Alignment: This acquisition directly supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by accelerating technological upgrading and fostering innovation within the digital entertainment industry.
• Total Sand Solution Acquisition of Sand Revolution:
  • Focus: A strategic consolidation within the oilfield proppant logistics industry.
  • SDG Alignment:
    • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): By expanding market share and combining logistics, the new entity can increase efficiency, potentially reducing the environmental footprint of operations supporting the energy sector.
    • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The merger strengthens a key regional industry, supporting sustained economic activity.
    • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The combination provides a platform to promote more efficient and responsible management of resources in the Permian and Eagle Ford basins.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in thearticle?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on significant economic development in Fort Worth. It highlights multi-million dollar investments, the construction of new industrial and commercial facilities, and explicit job creation. For instance, the SPC Group’s new manufacturing facility is a “$200 million-plus project” that is “creating 450 new jobs,” which are key components of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This goal is central to the article, which details the construction of new, large-scale industrial infrastructure. The development of multiple logistics parks such as Carter Crossing (“more than 1 million square feet”) and the Fort Worth I-35 Logistics Center (“1.3 million square feet”) contributes to building resilient infrastructure. Furthermore, the establishment of a new “dough manufacturing facility” and the acquisition of an “artificial intelligence technology company” (Triggy.AI) support industrialization and foster innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

  The acquisition of Triggy.AI by Fort Worth-based SEGG Media Corp. is a direct example of technological upgrading and innovation. The article states the acquisition will “accelerate the company’s AI growth plans,” pointing towards a focus on higher economic productivity through advanced technology.

• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

  The entire article showcases the results of policies that support productive activities. The construction of speculative industrial sites like Carter Crossing and the establishment of the SPC Group facility, which is explicitly “creating 450 new jobs,” are direct outcomes of an environment that fosters large-scale development and job creation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.

  The article’s primary focus is on the development of new infrastructure to support economic activity. Projects like the “speculative logistics park” at Carter Crossing, the “two-building development totaling 1.3 million square feet” at Fort Worth I-35 Logistics Center, and the new manufacturing facility for SPC Group are all examples of building industrial infrastructure to support the local and regional economy.

• Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product.

  The establishment of a new “$200 million-plus” dough manufacturing facility is a clear example of promoting industrialization. This project, along with the numerous logistics parks, will increase industry’s contribution to local employment and economic output, directly aligning with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Number of new jobs created (Explicit)

  The article explicitly states that the SPC Group project is “creating 450 new jobs.” This is a direct indicator for measuring progress on job creation (Target 8.3).

• Value of new investment in industry (Explicit/Implied)

  The article mentions a “$200 million-plus project” for the SPC Group facility. This serves as a direct indicator of capital investment. The scale of the other projects, described in millions of square feet, implies hundreds of millions more in investment, which is an indicator of economic growth.

• Investment in technology and innovation (Implied)

  The acquisition of Triggy.AI by SEGG Media Corp. implies financial investment in the technology sector, which can be used as an indicator for progress towards technological upgrading (Target 8.2).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Square footage of new industrial facilities constructed (Explicit)

  The article provides specific figures for new infrastructure, such as “more than 1 million square feet” at Carter Crossing, “1.3 million square feet” at Fort Worth I-35 Logistics Center, and a “267,000-square-foot production facility” for SPC Group. The total square footage of new industrial space is a clear indicator of infrastructure development (Target 9.1).

• Number of new industrial and manufacturing projects (Implied)

  The article lists at least six major industrial development projects. The number of such projects underway is an indicator of the rate of industrialization and infrastructure expansion in the region (Target 9.1 and 9.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fortworthreport.org