The Connect August 2026
Investing in Talent, Building Opportunity
North Texas continues to grow rapidly, driven by population gains, expanding industries and significant investment across advanced manufacturing, logistics, aviation and technology. As companies expand and new employers enter the market, demand for a skilled workforce has never been greater.
That demand is especially visible in manufacturing. Dallas-Fort Worth has more manufacturing activity than any other metropolitan area in Texas, according to the Dallas Regional Chamber. Fort Worth’s advanced manufacturing sector is supported by a regional workforce of more than 300,000, nearly one-third of Texas’ total manufacturing workforce, according to the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
The region’s momentum is part of a larger statewide strength. Texas has been the No. 1 exporting state in the nation for 23 consecutive years, produces 10% of U.S.-manufactured goods and is the top state exporter to 92 countries, according to the Office of the Governor, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office.
At AllianceTexas, Hillwood is helping connect that momentum to opportunity.
Companies located within AllianceTexas benefit from access to Hillwood’s workforce development and education team, which connects employers with regional partners, training programs and hiring resources across North Texas. The goal is to help companies find the talent they need while creating stronger pathways for students, job seekers and workers preparing for the next generation of careers.
“We strengthen the link between education and employment, helping people secure quality jobs and supporting our customers’ business growth,” said Tom Harris, Hillwood executive vice president and chair of the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development.
Advanced manufacturing is one of the fastest-growing sectors at AllianceTexas and across the surrounding region. Major investments, such as MP Materials’ rare earth magnet manufacturing operations, demonstrate the scale of opportunity ahead. MP Materials operates its Independence facility in Fort Worth, the only fully integrated rare earth magnet manufacturing facility of its kind in the U.S., and is expanding nearby with “10X,” a $1.25 billion campus in Northlake expected to create more than 1,500 jobs.
To help support this level of growth, Hillwood invests $1 million annually in North Texas education and workforce initiatives, partnering with universities, community colleges, K-12 institutions and nonprofits to help strengthen the region’s talent pipeline.
One example is Hillwood’s AllianceTexas Student Influencers program, which gives high school juniors from Keller ISD, Northwest ISD and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD a nine-month, inside look at the AllianceTexas ecosystem. Students gain real-world exposure to careers in aviation, logistics, supply chain, advanced manufacturing and emerging mobility while connecting with business leaders and industry professionals.
AllianceTexas companies also benefit from Hillwood’s relationships with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, local higher education institutions, area independent school districts and the Alliance Employer Hub at Tarrant County College’s Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics. Through these partnerships, employers can engage directly with workforce partners to support recruitment, hiring events, customized training and long-term talent pipeline development.
“Workforce development is a cornerstone of our community-building mission and our vision for the future,” Harris said.
As North Texas continues to grow, Hillwood’s investment in workforce development is helping create connections today while building the talent pipeline that will support the region’s success for years to come.