Mayor Betsy Price formally announced that Jarratt Watkins has been selected as the director of Fort Worth Now via a Zoom Press Conference on May 28. Watkins is taking a leave of absence from his practice at Kelly Hart & Hallman, he focuses on mergers and acquisitions.
Fort Worth Now, an economic recovery and growth task force headed by JPMorgan Chase’s Elaine Agather and business leader John Goff, was previously announced. The organization has raised $425,000 in a little over three weeks on the way to its goal half a million. The funds will be used for promote city, pay salary, marketing materials and travel if it is required. Mayor Betsy Price noted the group is privately funded.
Watkins will oversee daily operations of the initiative that is leading the community’s post-COVID response to stabilize and restore local businesses, while strategically targeting growth sectors to equitably advance Fort Worth’s economy.
“This is a public-private partnership spearheaded for the next year of economic recovery and growth initiative,” said Price during the May 7 announcement at the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center. “As COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on businesses, our way of life, and our economy, Fort Worth Now will lead a strategic effort to not only recover Fort Worth businesses, but to take Fort Worth to new economic heights.”
– FWBP Staff