Dallas and Fort Worth anchor an economy fueled by a deep workforce, investment capital and global connectivity. With the region's population projected to reach 12.5 million by 2050, business and civic leaders say sustaining that growth will require investments in infrastructure, development and talent.

Three leaders in real estate investment, global aviation and regional economic development examined the decisions shaping North Texas during Two Cities, One Future: Building the Next Generation of North Texas, a recent forum hosted by the TCU Center for Real Estate at Old Parkland in Dallas. Panelists included Andy Mitchell ’98, CEO and co-chair of Bluejack; Chris McLaughlin, CEO of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport; and Chris Wallace, CEO of the North Texas Commission.

Grant Moise ’04 MBA, CEO and publisher of The Dallas Morning News, moderated the discussion, which opened with welcoming remarks from Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties and a member of the TCU Board of Trustees.

“When companies are looking at us—whether they’re in Frankfurt, Scotland, Tokyo, California or Illinois—they don’t see individual cities. They see one labor market, one airport and one region,” Wallace said.

North Texas has 15 cities with populations exceeding 100,000, a concentration Wallace described as unmatched nationally. He said shared transportation networks, universities, health care systems and infrastructure make regional coordination essential to collective economic competitiveness.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one those shared assets. McLaughlin said approximately 684,000 jobs across North Texas are tied directly or indirectly to the airport, which supports business recruitment, commerce and access to global markets.

“Internationally, the competition isn’t between Fort Worth and Dallas. Internationally, it’s Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other major global markets,” McLaughlin said.

Mitchell pointed to Texas' economic momentum as an advantage for real estate investment. Drawing on lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, he cautioned against assuming the region is insulated from economic challenges elsewhere or that current growth trends will continue indefinitely.

“As an investor, you have to ask: Are you in a sustainable growth environment? Are you thinking realistically?” Mitchell said.

The region’s water supply presents one of those long-term challenges. Wallace cautioned that demand could outpace investments needed to expand capacity.

“One drought in North Texas could impact roughly a third of the state’s economy because of how much economic activity is concentrated here,” Wallace said.  

Wallace also pointed to transportation infrastructure struggling to keep pace with development, particularly in some of the nation's fastest-growing counties. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and greater coordination among the region's transit systems to support continued expansion.

At DFW Airport, long-term planning is driving major capital investments, including construction of Terminal F and improvements designed to accommodate approximately 100 million passengers by 2030. McLaughlin said the airport is already considering future capacity needs, including a potential eighth runway, while anticipating increased demand on roads and public transportation as more passengers begin or end their journeys in North Texas.

Mitchell said development decisions increasingly require evaluating whether surrounding communities can support additional growth. In the Aledo area, that means considering road capacity, water and electrical infrastructure, and quality public schools alongside demand for new housing.

Access to qualified workers remains the leading consideration for companies evaluating North Texas, Wallace said, placing pressure on schools, universities and employers to strengthen the region's talent pipeline.

McLaughlin highlighted shortages in skilled trades, particularly electricians, plumbers and carpenters, as major concerns for industries supporting the region's expansion. He also emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence and automation in helping organizations operate more efficiently and prepare for changing workforce demands.

Mitchell encouraged students to strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills through internships and other practical experiences.

"Universities have to give students real experience while they’re there," Mitchell said. "If students graduate with no experience, it’s very difficult."

For Connor Campbell, a TCU Neeley junior majoring in finance with a real estate concentration, the panelists’ insights reinforced another priority: continuous learning.

“Real-world experience is important, but so is being willing to continue learning,” said Campbell. “With technology changing so quickly, you have to stay curious and keep developing your skills throughout your career.”