Tax abatement agreement between Fort Worth, Carhartt paves way for 500 jobs

The city of Fort Worth and Carhartt entered into a seven-year tax abatement agreement to create a distribution center in northeast Fort Worth.

The company will lease a 1.2 million-square-foot location from DHL at 16101 Wolff Crossing, west of Texas Motor Speedway, and it will be operational by December 2024, according to the city. An estimated 500 full-time jobs will be filled locally, according to Cherie Gordon, who works in the city of Fort Worth’s business development department.

Carhartt proposed a seven-year tax abatement on up to 75% of the company’s business personal property during a work session for council March 7, and it was approved during the April 11 council meeting.

“At Carhartt, we pride ourselves on delivering a best-in-class experience for our customers and consumers,” said Susan Telang, chief financial officer at Carhartt, in a press release. “By expanding our distribution network to Fort Worth, hardworking people in the western part of the U.S. will receive Carhartt workwear faster than ever before. That, combined with growing our partnership with DHL and the economic opportunity provided by the city and this new facility, makes Fort Worth a perfect place to do business.”

Notable numbers for the agreement include:

• The personal property taxes will be capped at $2 million.
• The estimated appraised personal property tax appraised value is $50 million.
• The city estimates a little more than $3.19 million in taxes over the next decade.
• The average minimum salary for full-time jobs will be $55,000, according to Carhartt.
• Carhartt will invest $80 million in business personal property, including machinery and equipment.

“Fort Worth is excited to welcome Carhartt to our city,” said Robert Sturns, director of economic development for the city of Fort Worth, in a press release. “They’re a very well-known, well-respected brand, and their presence here will be an asset to our city’s growing collection of workwear companies.”

Carhartt is a family-owned business founded in 1889. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, the company exists to “serve and protect hardworking people,” according to its website. With more than 30 store locations nationwide, the company employs 5,500 employees.