How Fort Worth helped secure North Texas as a top-tier life sciences center

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• The Marriott in Westlake is getting a facelift.

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• Denny's seeks grand-slam concept.

Texas-- and North Texas in particular-- took a huge action towards becoming a top-tier life sciences center on Sept. 26 when the location was granted federal classification to be the Customer Experience Hub for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. The designation will bring federal funds, programs and attract skill to the area's growing biotech and life sciences markets.

The 2 other hubs revealed were the Investor Catalyst hub, to be based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Stakeholder and Operations center, to be found in the Washington, D.C, area.

While Dallas' Pegasus Park, a 26-acre life sciences and healthcare focused organization park, will be the physical focus of the Customer Experience Hub, Fort Worth and other partner cities will be key to the effort, stated Tom Luce, director of biotech initiatives at Lyda Hill Philanthropies, who led the effort.

" This will include all the partners. This is a win for all of the state," he stated.

No financing amounts have actually been announced for the tasks. While the Agency for Health project has been referred to as a "cancer moonshot," Luce stated, it plans to deal with other significant medical problems, too, such as diseases of the brian, obesity, health and diabetes issues. The program is focused on serving a diverse population, he stated.

Luce stated that was a key selling point to the administration.

" Texas had a diverse population that represented the future," he stated. "We're young, but we've got seniors, too, and we have a varied population, Hispanic, African American, East Asian. You call it, we've got it in Texas."

Fort Worth was likewise important to landing the entire project here, instead of other sites around the country competing for the designation and accompanying federal contracts.

" It was really competitive," said Luce.

One secret to winning the bid were two North Texas congressional leaders, Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, Luce said.

" They were really committed to this project," he said.

Luce said Granger, who is head of the effective House Appropriations Committee, visited with the Agency for Health personally. That show of support was extremely crucial, he stated.

Granger said the strength of the Texas consortium team was that it used many health care and education service providers that the location is a best place for a biotech and life sciences center.

" I was pleased to deal with Congresswoman Crockett to effectively promote a consortium technique" for the brand-new Agency for Health hub, Granger stated in a declaration. "And I'm pleased that John Peter Smith, the University of North Texas, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas Health Resources, the University of Texas at Arlington and others will belong to this important work."

Luce said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also weighed in to help push the effort.

" It really revealed this was a neighborhood effort, that we were all together on this," he stated.

Robert Sturns, financial advancement director for the city of Fort Worth, stated the win will be a big possession for the medical organization community.

" It provides a great chance to strengthen labor force pipelines in our local health industry along with university partners like UNT Health Science Center and TCU's Burnett School of Medicine, and likewise opportunities for collaboration with the health centers and clinics located throughout Fort Worth's Medical Innovation District," he stated.

Assisting shepard the location's pursuit of the designation was Fort Worth public affairs firm Highwater Strategies, which has workplaces in both Fort Worth and Washington, D.C.

" Coordinating and working together was essential to this," said Kasey Pipes, a co-founder of Highwater Strategies. "It's going to be crucial moving forward, too."

" Granger was able to make the case directly to the administration about why Dallas-Fort Worth made one of the most sense," stated Pipes.

Pipes stated the 2nd secret to the win was what Dallas and Fort Worth gave the table.

" We have a terrific array of development and research study and medical infrastructure currently in place," he stated. "It's having UT Southwestern as an anchor, however then it's having all of the spoke pieces, at JPS and other health care suppliers throughout the Metroplex and the area, that can all belong of this work."

The Agency for Health is a $2.5 billion effort created in the wake of the pandemic by the Biden Administration in 2015 and modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the research and advancement arm of the Department of Defense. That firm is credited with assisting develop or popularizing innovations such as the internet.

The strength of the Dallas-Fort Worth location's life science market was acknowledged just recently by real estate company CBRE, which called the area one of the leading emerging life sciences markets in terms of size, organizations, talent and fast growth along with Nashville and Atlanta.

North Texas' total life sciences labor pool has actually increased by 17% (26,000 workers) because 2019, exceeding the average nationwide growth of 13.7%, according to the CBRE report. Research & & Development work in life sciences in DFW has actually increased 44.5% given that 2019.

" DFW has all of the pieces put together to end up being a dominant force in the life sciences sector," said Chelsea Story, vice president with CBRE's Life Sciences, in a statement. "Our area brought in $1.6 billion in life sciences venture capital funding between 2018 and 2022, and the only limitation we have is the demand for life sciences facilities outmatching supply. Life sciences companies wish to remain in DFW and utilize our growing skill, and as developers continue to construct and deliver brand-new space, the sector will continue to grow."

UTA is also leading an effort funded in part by Lyda Hill Philanthropies to protect a federal contract for North Texas and Oklahoma to become a biomanufacturing hub.

Interested organizations might discover info about the job at the Agency for Health website.

Marriott Westlake getting an update

A joint endeavor of two Dallas-based companies-- NewcrestImage and Dabu Group-- has actually obtained the Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Westlake. The hotel features architecture by award-winning Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, who likewise designed the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Newmark Lodging Capital Markets organized the sale on behalf of the seller. The 294-room Marriott will go through a complete restoration.

Eggs, grits and a side of development

Denny's has long served Grand Slam breakfasts, omelets and sobering cups of coffee. Now, the Spartanburg, South Carolina-based diner is using $25,000 in seed cash for innovators and business owners. Called the Denny's Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest, the chain wants to be the launchpad for the next trillion-dollar concept. The catch? The concept should come from a Denny's booth.

From now through Nov. 21, business owners and creative thinkers are welcomed to send their concept and a top quality photo capturing their Denny's visit where the idea started. Following the entry period, 10 semifinalists will be picked for a nationwide vote. The 5 semifinalists with the most votes will be qualified to provide their concept to a panel of judges, who will evaluate the concept based on imagination, development, originality and the "visual quality of your Denny's booth snapshot."

While only one entry will be crowned the 'Grand' winner, taking house $25,000 to money their concept, both semifinalists and finalists in the Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest will receive Denny's gift cards valued at $100 and $500, so they will have a lot of cash to invest while they exercise their ideas over pancakes and coffee. The grand prize winner will be announced in early 2024.

Do you have something for the Bob on Business column? Email Bob Francis as bob.francis@fortworthreport.org

Bob Francis is company editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org.

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The Fort Worth Report maintains the copyright for all of its released content. If you have any other questions, contact Managing Editor Thomas Martinez.How Fort Worth assisted protect North Texas as a top-tier life sciences center
by Bob Francis, Fort Worth Report
September 30, 2023

<< h1>> How Fort Worth assisted secure North Texas as a top-tier life sciences center<.
<< p class="" byline" > by Bob Francis, Fort Worth Report << br/>> September 30, 2023<.

<< p>> Also:<.
<< ul>>.
<< li>> The Marriott in Westlake is getting a facelift.&& nbsp;
<.
<.
<< ul>>. < li > Denny's seeks grand-slam idea.<.
<.
<< p>> Texas-- and North Texas in particular-- took a huge step towards ending up being a top-tier life sciences center on Sept. 26 when the location was awarded federal classification to be the Customer Experience Hub for the << a href=" https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/092921-ARPA-H-FAQ.pdf">> Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health<. The classification will bring federal funds, programs and bring in skill to the area's growing biotech and life sciences industries.<.
<< p>> The two other centers revealed were the Investor Catalyst hub, to be based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Stakeholder and Operations center, to be located in the Washington, D.C, area.<.
<< p>> While Dallas' Pegasus Park, a 26-acre life sciences and health care focused business park, will be the physical focus of the Customer Experience Hub, Fort Worth and other partner cities will be crucial to the effort, said Tom Luce, director of biotech initiatives at << a href=" https://www.lydahillphilanthropies.org/">> Lyda Hill Philanthropies<, who led the effort.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" This will include all the partners. This is a win for all of the state," he stated.&& nbsp;
<. < p > No funding quantities have been revealed for the jobs. While the << a href=" https://arpa-h.gov/assets/files/ARPA-H_Site_Selection_Proposers_Day_Presentation_03.24.2023.pdf">> Agency for Health< task has been described as a "cancer moonshot," Luce stated, it prepares to attend to other significant medical issues, too, such as illness of the brian, diabetes, health and obesity concerns. The program is aimed at serving a diverse population, he stated.&& nbsp;
<. < p > Luce said that was a crucial selling indicate the administration.<.
<< p>>" Texas had a varied population that represented the future," he said. "We're young, however we've got seniors, too, and we have a diverse population, Hispanic, African American, East Asian. You call it, we've got it in Texas."&& nbsp;
<. < p > Fort Worth was also important to landing the whole job here, as opposed to other sites around the country contending for the classification and accompanying federal agreements.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" It was very competitive,&" stated<>
<& nbsp;. < p > One secret to winning the bid were 2 North Texas congressional leaders, Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, Luce stated.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" They were really dedicated to this job," he stated.<.
<< p>> Luce said Granger, who is head of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, visited with the Agency for Health face to face. That program of support was really essential, he stated.&& nbsp;
<. < p > Granger said the strength of the Texas consortium group was that it offered many healthcare and education suppliers that the area is an ideal place for a biotech and life sciences hub.<.
<< p>>" I was pleased to deal with Congresswoman Crockett to effectively push for a consortium method" for the brand-new Agency for Health hub, Granger said in a declaration. "And I'm happy that John Peter Smith, the University of North Texas, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas Health Resources, the University of Texas at Arlington and others will be part of this crucial work."<.
<< p>> Luce said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also weighed in to help press the effort.&& nbsp;
<. < p > "It really revealed this was a neighborhood effort, that we were entirely on this," he stated.<.
<< p>> Robert Sturns, financial development director for the city of Fort Worth, said the win will be a big asset for the medical organization community.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" It presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance labor force pipelines in our local health industry together with university partners like UNT Health Science Center and TCU's Burnett School of Medicine, and likewise chances for collaboration with the medical facilities and clinics situated throughout Fort Worth's Medical Innovation District," he said.&& nbsp;
<. < p > Helping shepard the location's pursuit of the classification was Fort Worth public affairs firm << a href=" https://www.highwaterstrategies.com/">> Highwater Strategies<, which has workplaces in both Fort Worth and Washington, D.C.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" Coordinating and collaborating was key to this," stated Kasey Pipes, a co-founder of Highwater Strategies. "It's going to be essential going forward, too."&& nbsp;
<. < p >" Granger was able to make the case directly to the administration about why Dallas-Fort Worth made the most sense," stated Pipes.&& nbsp;
<. < p > Pipes said the 2nd key to the win was what Dallas and Fort Worth gave the table.&& nbsp;
<. < p > "We have a fantastic range of innovation and research and medical infrastructure already in location," he stated. "It's having UT Southwestern as an anchor, however then it's having all of the spoke pieces, at JPS and other healthcare suppliers throughout the Metroplex and the region, that can all be a part of this work."&& nbsp;
<. < p > The Agency for Health is a $2.5 billion effort created in the wake of the pandemic by the Biden Administration last year and imitated the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the research study and development arm of the Department of Defense. That firm is credited with assisting create or promoting << a href=" https://www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/unit07/internet07_02.phtml#:~:text=This%20eventually%20led%20to%20the,contracts%20with%20the%20Defense%20Department.">> innovations< such as the web.&& nbsp;
<. < p > The strength of the Dallas-Fort Worth area's life science market was acknowledged recently by property company<< a href=" https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/2023-us-life-sciences-outlook"> > CBRE, < which called the area among the top emerging life sciences markets in terms of size, organizations, skill and quick development along with Nashville and Atlanta.<.
<< p>> North Texas' total life sciences labor pool has actually increased by 17% (26,000 workers) since 2019, going beyond the average national growth of 13.7%, according to the CBRE report. Research study && amp; Development employment in life sciences in DFW has increased 44.5% considering that 2019.&& nbsp;
<. < p >" DFW has all of the pieces assembled to become a dominant force in the life sciences sector," said << a href=" https://www.cbre.com/people/chelsea-story">> Chelsea Story<, vice president with CBRE's Life Sciences, in a statement. "Our area attracted $1.6 billion in life sciences venture capital funding between 2018 and 2022, and the only constraint we have is the need for life sciences facilities exceeding supply. Life sciences business want to be in DFW and utilize our growing skill, and as developers continue to construct and deliver new area, the sector will continue to grow."<.
<< p><> < a href=" https://fortworthreport.org/2023/09/21/ut-arlington-leading-consortium-to-create-biomanufacturing-hub-in-north-texas-oklahoma/">> UTA< is likewise leading an effort moneyed in part by Lyda Hill Philanthropies to secure a federal contract for North Texas and Oklahoma to become a biomanufacturing center.&& nbsp;
<. < p > Interested organizations might find information about the project at the << a href=" https://arpa-h.gov/engage/arpanet-h/">> Agency for Health site<.&& nbsp;
<. < p > < strong > Marriott Westlake getting an update&& nbsp;<. < p > A joint venture of 2 Dallas-based business-- NewcrestImage and<< a href=" https://www.dabugroup.com/"> > Dabu Group<-- has obtained the Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Westlake. The hotel features architecture by award-winning Mexican designer << a href=" https://www.legorreta.mx/en/ricardo-legorreta">> Ricardo Legorreta<, who also developed the << a href=" https://www.fwmuseum.org/">> Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.<.
<< p><> < a href=" https://www.nmrk.com/services/capital-markets/service/lodging-capital-markets">> Newmark Lodging Capital Markets< organized the sale on behalf of the seller. The 294-room Marriott will undergo a total remodelling.<.
<< p><> < strong>> Eggs, grits and a side of innovation&& nbsp;<. < p > Denny's has actually long served Grand Slam breakfasts, omelets and sobering cups of coffee. Now, the Spartanburg, South Carolina-based restaurant is using $25,000 in seed cash for entrepreneurs and innovators. Called the << a href=" https://connect.notified.com/Tracker?data=ydi_T-QWeZ9A2NWYyzO3I385by1yIRX_bOZUnYchTHnM9RW1UZnZKVp_SQWBv2qU4BryvURu31RMMdlXKX_Y2GtKz95MrMjULSTXT_9pezR6I9zPk0y0G9mIaC28mj1XsOc1uUjzyTw5alt1fwzwvg==__EventRecipientId__">> Denny's Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest<, the chain wishes to be the launchpad for the next trillion-dollar concept. The catch? The idea needs to originate in a Denny's cubicle.<.
<< p>> From now through Nov. 21, entrepreneurs and thinkers are invited to send their idea and a premium image capturing their Denny's visit where the principle began. Following the entry period, 10 semifinalists will be chosen for an across the country vote. The five semifinalists with the most votes will be eligible to provide their concept to a panel of judges, who will assess the idea based upon creativity, development, originality and the "visual quality of your Denny's booth snapshot."<.
<< p>> While only one entry will be crowned the 'Grand' winner, taking house $25,000 to money their concept, both semifinalists and finalists in the Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest will get Denny's present cards valued at $100 and $500, so they will have a lot of money to spend while they exercise their concepts over pancakes and coffee. The grand prize winner will be announced in early 2024.<.
<< p><> < em>> Do you have something for the Bob on Business column? Email Bob Francis as bob.francis@fortworthreport.org.
<< p><> < em>> Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. .
<< hr class=" wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>>.
<< p><> < em>> At the Fort Worth Report, news choices are made separately of our board members and monetary fans. Find out more about our editorial independence policy< < a href=" https://fortworthreport.org/about/fort-worth-report-editorial-independence-policy/"><> < em>&> & nbsp; here < em >. This << a target="" _ blank"" href="" https://fortworthreport.org/2023/09/30/how-fort-worth-helped-secure-north-texas-as-a-top-tier-life-sciences-center/">article very first appeared on << a target="" _ blank"" href="" https://fortworthreport.org">Fort Worth Report< and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<< img src="" https://i0.wp.com/fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1" style="" width:1 em; height:1 em; margin-left:10 px;"><" > < img id="" republication-tracker-tool-source"" src="" https://fortworthreport.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=89928&ga3=UA-194640723-1" design="" width:1 px; height:1 px;">" >.

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