💲Eco Dev wins: MP Materials and Linear Labs; New development at Ridgmar Mall; Arlington chefs are James Beard selections.

MP Materials reached a milestone Wednesday in restoring the U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain. The facility in Fort Worth commenced commercial production of neodymium-praseodymium metal and trial production of automotive-grade, sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. The magnets bring the U.S. closer to re-establishing a fully integrated, domestic supply chain for these critical components. Biggest winner? Electric vehicles. 

United States Cowboy, Inc. announced today its launch of USCowboy.com, a media company that aims to serve fans and enthusiasts of Western sports and cowboy culture. USCowboy.com will feature written, video, and audio content and live-streamed events, chronicling the day-to-day news of the PBR and PRCA. United States Cowboy is owned and operated by The Whitener Company, founded by Gordon Whitener. Brett Nierengarten is Chief Content Officer for USCowboy.com. 

Linear Labs, a former TechFW client and now part of the mobility zone at Hillwood, has received a patent for its method for controlling high-torque, high-speed electric motors. Fort Worth and Linear Labs are partners in an economic incentive package worth up to $68.9 million to create a smart electric motor manufacturing facility. 

Byrne Construction has started work on the Texas Ballet Theater Fort Worth Studio and School at Ridgmar Mall. The project will transform the existing Texas Ballet Theater facility, featuring a new façade and storefront, a beautiful courtyard, skylights, a black box theater, studios, dressing areas, new offices for the staff, and specialized spaces for Pilates and physical therapy to support the dancers. The project is led by The Projects Group and designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

Chefs Fasicka and Patrick Hicks of Smoke’N Ash BBQ in Arlington are semifinalists for “Best Chef: Texas” in the annual James Beard Awards. The winners will be announced June 16. 

The Fort Worth Chamber announces its executive board, chaired by Cantey Hanger Managing Partner Brian Newby, area chairpersons and committee leaders. 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined 10 other states with a warning to major financial institutions that certain diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as environmental, social, and governance commitments, could lead to enforcement actions if they violate state or federal law. Those addressed were BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley.

Texas is among 15 states to have won a $7.4-billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and its company, Purdue Pharma, for their role in creating an opioid crisis. Purdue invented, manufactured, and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling waves of addiction and overdose deaths. The settlement ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and their ability to sell opioids in the U.S.

TCU will retire the No. 1 jersey of former basketball star Desmond Bane at a ceremony Feb. 18. Bane is a point guard with the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Superior Traffic Control leased a 2-acre tract from 6320 Eden to pair with another two acres it had leased at 6604-6306 Eden Road in Haltom City.

Provident Industrial launched the development of the 161,000-square-foot A20 Logistics Center at 500 E. Bardin Road in Arlington. The Class-A industrial facility also will feature a 2,000-square-foot speculative office. The A20 Logistics Center is scheduled for delivery in early 2026.

France-based Fonroche Lighting, a leader in solar-powered lighting solutions, opened its U.S. headquarters at 22245 SE Loop 820 in Fort Worth, within the Campus Industrial Park. The 20,088-square-foot space was designed and built by Fort Worth-based Empire Holdings.

Truist Bank CEO Bill Rogers said the company is ready to grow in three markets -- Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Truist plans to add 25 bankers to these markets and invest in other resources, including physical branches. Truist has eight Tarrant County bank locations. 

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra again will bypass its concert series at The Botanic Garden, but has plenty of music to share during 2025. 

Snippets:

• According to its 4th quarter report, Bell has a work backlog of $7.5 billion. 

• BNSF announces $3.8-billion capital investment plan for 2025.

• Citadel Partners brings to market a new 6,000-square-foot office complex at 3650 Race St. 

• Nebraska teen to be tried as adult in BNSF train derailment case.

• American Airlines reported fourth-quarter revenue of $13.7 billion and record full-year revenue of $54.2 billion. 

The Tarrant Regional Water District Board voted to approve an updated Recreation Master Plan developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and Dunaway and Associates. It outlines a strategic framework that creates alignment between the public, community stakeholders, TRWD’s board, and staff to define TRWD’s role in recreation and events.

A business park development on Colleyville Boulevard near Ross Downs Estates has been recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Committee.

Southlake-based Sabre has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with JetSMART, an ultra-low-fare airline connecting millions of passengers across South America.

Fort Worth District 6 councilman Jared Williams will not seek a third term, leaving two open spots. Gyna Bivens is retiring after six terms representing District 5. The deadline to file is Feb. 14.

Notable and quotable: “The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.” —Peter Drucker (1909-2005), management consultant, educator and author

Significant stat: $500 billion = commitment from OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to build data infrastructure, starting in Texas. 

Announcements:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council: New Board of Trustees for 2025, Tarrant County only, include Chair-Elect, Juan Fresquez, President, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center; Natalie Wilkins, VP Operations, Cook Children’s Health Care System; Chris Richard, COO, Kindred Hospital Arlington; Shannon Fletcher, Sr. VP, Chief of Staff and External Affairs, JPS Health Network; and Jared Shelton, President, Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth.  In addition, Becky Tucker, Senior Vice President, Texas Health Resources, is completing her term.

• Major League Cricket: Appoints Johnny Grave as CEO of the professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States.

• Kalibrate: Adds Courtney Hall as Global Marketing Lead: Retail Location Intelligence.

• AZZ: Appoints Jeff Vellines as President and COO of Precoat Metals.

• Duane Morris: Promotes nine attorneys to Partner: Allison Bortner, Christopher A. Brown, Elizabeth G. Hodgson, Leah Mintz, Robert Montejo, Jessica Priselac, Greg Tsonis, M. Alejandra Vargas and Brad Wasser. 

• Fort Worth Fire Department: Names Ashley Clement first deputy director.

• Texas Troubadour Songwriter Classic: Tarleton State University employee and graduate student Courtney  Eoff recognized with Song of the Year and Texas Troubadour awards. 

• Tarrant County College South Campus: Hires Dr. Stevie Dawn Carter as a full-time political science and government instructor.

• Mesch: Tax Manager Cyrus Wagner III and Audit Manager David Molenda promoted to Partner. 

• Valor: Adds Paige Nerios as Director, IT Governance & Project Management.

• Airports Council International World: Names Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport the best large airport in North America for customer service for second consecutive year. 

• Brinson Benefits: Adds Jason Weeks.

• Grant Thornton: Adds Dr. Scott Ransom as Strategic Adviser. 

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