Fort Worth is gearing up for a fresh round of corporate courtship as city leaders weigh economic-development agreements that could pave the way for expansions by two international manufacturers. City staff say Canadian electronics maker Celestica and Australian defense supplier Marand have both signaled interest in adding capacity or research-and-development work inside city limits. The proposals will be taken up at an upcoming city council work session, kicking off formal review of possible incentives and infrastructure support.
City Council To Review Proposed Deals
According to the Fort Worth Report, Cherie Gordon of the city's economic-development office is set to lay out the proposed agreements at a council work session. The briefing asks council members to consider offering support as both companies explore new or expanded operations in Fort Worth.
If the council gives the green light to proceed, staff would begin negotiating terms that could include tax incentives, workforce commitments and infrastructure improvements, all aimed at keeping the companies growing inside the city rather than somewhere else in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Celestica's Texas buildout
Celestica told investors on a recent The Motley Fool earnings call that it plans major capacity investments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company outlined more than 700,000 square feet of additional space split between its Richardson campus and a new Fort Worth site, with a need for expanded power availability. That incremental capacity is expected to come online in 2027.
Management materials show Celestica reported $12.4 billion in revenue for 2025 and has flagged roughly $1 billion in capital spending for 2026 to support AI and data-center programs, according to the company's release and related filings. The timelines and dollar figures that Fort Worth leaders are now eyeing come directly from those corporate disclosures.
Marand's Fort Worth footprint
Marand lists its U.S. operations at 4925 Vesta Farley Rd, Fort Worth, and advertises engineering and manufacturing capability at the site. The Australian precision-engineering firm is part of the ASDAM group and is majority-owned by funds managed by CPE Capital. Company materials also highlight Marand's work on subassemblies for Lockheed Martin's F-35 program, giving any local expansion a direct link into the global defense supply chain.
What's at stake
For Fort Worth, the potential upside includes new industrial space, a deeper aerospace and data-center supply network and the prospect of higher-wage manufacturing jobs if the deals move forward. Celestica's timeline and its emphasis on upgraded power suggest the city may need to weigh utility capacity and permitting speed as part of any support package.
Officials are likely to balance near-term infrastructure costs against longer-term economic returns as negotiations play out. City staff will present the proposed agreements at the work session this month, and any approved terms would then head into formal negotiation and public review, the Fort Worth Report notes. Expect more details on jobs, incentives and timelines to surface as agendas are posted and council votes come up.
