Fort Worth Chamber's 2013 Annual Report 2013

Supporting Fort Worth schools 72.3% Extensive support from the Fort Worth Chamber helped to ensure passage of the $490 million Fort Worth ISD Bond Package, which won overwhelming voter support. Chamber involvement included: • Establishment of an SPAC, Citizens Supporting Classroom Excellence, which raised more than $100,000 in campaign funds. • Provision of surveys, direct mailings, consulting, polling, media relations, writing, signage and social media. Average voter approval for all three bond propositions Highest support level of any November 2013 school bond vote in Texas 2060 Proposition 6 Our future will float on adequate water supplies, thanks to statewide voter approval of Proposition 6 – a top Fort Worth Chamber priority. A perpetual loan fund will ensure the financing of critical water projects across Texas. The Chamber delivered a strong Fort Worth voice to the campaign here, in Austin and statewide. 192 Million Gallons annually in income jobs in state and local business taxes acre-feet of additional water for homes, businesses and the agricultrual industry American Airlines/ US Airways merger Photo courtesy Fort Worth ISD Government Affairs Explosive population growth, global competition and pressures on existing infrastructure create the need among businesses and the community for strong advocacy delivered by the Fort Worth Chamber. During the past year, the Chamber marshaled its full resources to meet several challenges. 2 The Fort Worth Chamber fully backed the merger. Most notably, we conveyed that support to the U.S. Justice Department and teamed with the Dallas Regional Chamber to help win Attorney General Greg Abbott’s support. Eventually approved, the merger opens a bright future for American Airlines, our largest employer. 2010 2008 Impact of Proposition 6 by 2060 $115.7 billion 1.1 millioN $9.8 billion 8.3 million 2060 202 Million Gallons Fort Worth’s daily water use per capita 17,258 acre-ft annually 32,457 acre-ft annually Water needs for Tarrant County Manufacturing A Demanding Future 21,000 Number of American Airlines employees 175,000 Number of vendors, contractors and others whose livelihoods depend on the airline $27 billion American Airlines’ GDP contribution to North Texas’ economy HB5: Acknowledging high-demand careers Weighing workforce demand for skilled workers and high wage potential, the Chamber supported passage of HB5 as did Jobs for Texas, a broad-based business coalition of 22 trade associations. The law decreases the number of required tests high school students must take to graduate and allows students to choose paths to college or careers that suit their talents. High-earning Associate’s Degree programs Associate’s Degree major Earnings Fire Protection Quality Control & Safety Techs Registered Nursing and Clinical Nursing Electromechanical & Instrumentation Maintenance Techs Precision Metal Working Real Estate Source: Texas Workforce Commission, 2012 $60,516 $51,324 $49,708 $46,045 $40,548 $40,241 3

Fort Worth Chamber's 2013 Annual Report 2013 | Page 4