Economic Development

Big Tex Job Fair

The State Fair of Texas partners with Good Will Industries to produce the Big Tex Job Fair each fall – which hosted over 50 employers, 10 support service organizations, and almost 300 job seekers in 2017. The Big Tex Job Fair provides employment for the local community and the Fair’s seasonal workers while also offering unique job-seeking opportunities and workshops.

Join us in 2018 for the 3rd Annual Big Tex Job Fair; for more details click the button below.

Urban Gardeners and Big Tex Urban Farms

Throughout the year the State Fair of Texas hosts several meetings of more than 30 local gardeners and community leaders. In 2016, the State Fair of Texas introduced Big Tex Urban Farms, a revolutionary, mobile agriculture system in the heart of Fair Park. Since inception, the project has proved itself to be a successful experiment by investing financial and human capital into immediate Fair Park neighborhoods and companies, connecting like-minded agriculture entities, and providing fresh, organic produce to organizations focused on hunger and healthy lifestyle programs.

Food Cohort

Fairs, Festivals, and Expos are a significant contributor to the hospitality and tourism industry. According to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, “…over 3,200 fairs are held in North America each year. They provide industrial exhibits, demonstrations and competition aimed at the advancement of livestock, horticulture and agriculture with special emphasis placed on educational activities such as 4-H, FFA and similar youth development programs. While enjoying these high-minded pursuits, fair visitors are also able to see, hear, touch, smell and taste the richness and variety of what the world has to offer.”

For many small business owners in the Southern Sector, this can be a great opportunity to generate revenue. The Food Cohort program is a dynamic education series for entrepreneurs by the State Fair of Texas, the Dallas Entrepreneur Center (The DEC), the RedBird Entrepreneur Center, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and the City of Dallas/Office of Economic Development. The goal is to take existing businesses to prepare their products for inclusion into festivals and fairs in the region. The five month cohort comprised of 7-10 businesses will have both classroom, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities for growth and exposure to the industry.

Interested applicants must complete an application, apply for the taste test of their product to be sold during the fair, and commit to attend sessions and mentoring.