Officials replaced that program with Small Business Enterprise<\/a> goals for city projects with input from local chambers. Companies, both large and small, certified as a small business enterprise are eligible for a 5% bid preference on contracts up to $100,000. For contracts over $100,000, the city has a 30% utilization target.\u00a0<\/p>\n The new certification gives businesses access to bid opportunities and makes connections to resources, training, mentorship and matchmaking support easier, city officials said.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a lawsuit is underway<\/a> after acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock issued emergency rules that changed the state\u2019s Historically Underutilized Business Certification program in December.<\/p>\n Despite anxiety about government contracts, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce helped local businesses earn more work.<\/p>\n City contracts for minority- and women-owned firms increased from about $100,000 in 2021 to $270,000 in 2025, Green-Ford said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to go forward, and we cannot let the vision to support our minority- and women-owned businesses fall \u2014 and we haven\u2019t done that,\u201d she said. \u201cSo let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n The chamber\u2019s membership grew in 2025 to include members from seven states, 53 cities and 143 ZIP codes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very diverse in what we\u2019re providing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The group expanded its presence in Texas to include support and grand openings in the Tarrant County area and beyond, including in Austin, Green-Ford said.<\/p>\n Improving the chamber\u2019s access to capital was vital, Green-Ford said. The chamber added five new financial institutions as corporate partners for a total of 20. That\u2019s up from five or six banks four years ago, she noted.<\/p>\n Last year, platinum-level sponsors increased from financial institutions that told chamber officials they want to serve the community, Green-Ford said.<\/p>\n The chamber\u2019s partnerships with universities also increased to include Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Tarleton State University, which recently opened a campus in southwest Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n The organization maintains its relationship with TCU, which provided six full-time scholarships for masters of business administration graduate students. Each scholarship is worth about $150,000.<\/p>\n Green-Ford said a similar MBA scholarship is offered by the University of Texas at Arlington\u2019s Fort Worth campus. \u201cWe\u2019re working on that with UTA Fort Worth,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Another scholarship is available through Texas Wesleyan University.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat foundation of education has continued,\u201d Green-Ford said.<\/p>\n The chamber has a leadership development program and increased signature events to include the SneakerBall gala. An aeronautics program with Fort Worth-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is under development.<\/p>\n The chamber\u2019s annual luncheon saw attendance nearly double \u2014 from 500 to 900 in 2025.<\/p>\n Ty Stimpson, chairman of the metropolitan chamber, said Green-Ford had a successful year despite health challenges within her family.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never thought that anything was wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cShe never missed a beat.\u201d<\/p>\n Chamber membership also impacted attendance at the annual Cowboys of Color Rodeo<\/a>, which is held during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo<\/a> each winter. The 2026 event, bolstered by high attendance and a performance by the Dunbar High School band, realized a 95% increase in revenue, Green-Ford said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of thing that gets the attention of our city leaders to say this chamber is relevant and they\u2019re making a difference,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re just getting started. Expect more.\u201d<\/p>\n Added Stimpson: \u201cThe future is bright.\u201d<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260326_190754-1-scaled-e1774898015544-1024x725.jpg\")
A chart shows the impact of work by the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n