Mid City Times

The new Embraer maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Fort Worth has been awarded the 2024 Impact Award for Advanced Manufacturing by Business Facilities editors. The awards recognize corporate relocation and expansion projects that have or are expected to have a significant impact on their communities. Economic development organizations submitted entries for projects announced or taking place between September 2023 through 2024.

This marks the second consecutive year Fort Worth has received an Impact Award, following its win in 2023 for a Siemens manufacturing facility. Anne Cosgrove, Business Facilities editorial director, stated, “Our 2024 Deal of the Year winners represent billions of dollars in capital investment and thousands of jobs for the communities in which these companies and their suppliers will operate.”

In October, Embraer announced its investment in Fort Worth with a new MRO facility aimed at increasing its capacity to serve E-Jet customers in the U.S. market by 53%. The company committed $57 million to the project, including $42 million for real property improvements and $15 million for business personal property. This initiative is expected to generate over $1.2 million in gross net new taxes for Fort Worth and create 250 full-time jobs by late 2029.

Carlos Naufel, president and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “We have a longstanding relationship with the state of Texas...the opening of this new service center will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs.” Robert Allen from the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership commented on the recognition from Business Facilities: “This recognition...is more proof that the Fort Worth economy continues to build momentum.”

Embraer's facilities will be located on a 16-acre site within Fort Worth’s AllianceTexas corridor. Operations are expected to begin in 2025 within an existing hangar near Alliance Airport while Hillwood constructs another hangar set for completion by 2027.

Ross Perot Jr., chairman and CEO of Hillwood, welcomed Embraer: “This new facility will bring 250 high-quality jobs to Fort Worth...strengthening our region’s role as a key hub for aerospace innovation.” Denton County Judge Andy Eads also praised regional collaboration: “This award reflects...the project's significant impact on our local economy.”

The application noted recent aerospace industry momentum in Fort Worth with expansions like GE On Wing Support Inc., AVX Aircraft Company’s headquarters at AllianceTexas, alongside Embraer’s project—representing over $120 million in capital investment and more than 350 jobs.

Robert Sturns from Fort Worth's economic development office added: “It’s exciting to see the Embraer project receive this notable recognition from Business Facilities...” The city team extended gratitude towards local leaders such as Mayor Mattie Parker and City Manager David Cooke for their support.