Fort Worth is being considered as a potential site for a manufacturing plant by Mach Industries, a rapidly growing defense technology startup specializing in unmanned aircraft systems. The company, based in Huntington Beach, California, is currently evaluating locations for new production facilities, with Fort Worth emerging as a preferred candidate.
Mach Industries, founded in 2023 by Ethan Thornton, a former Massachusetts Institute of Technology student, has expanded swiftly and recently raised $300 million in series C funding, valuing the company at $1.8 billion. Its product lineup includes advanced aerospace systems such as the Viper vertical lift vehicle, the Stratos airborne surveillance platform, and the Dart counter-drone interceptor. The company has garnered multiple contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense, most recently securing a contract from the U.S. Navy for a long-range strike drone project.
At a Fort Worth City Council work session on June 23, city officials reviewed potential economic development agreements with Mach Industries related to establishing a facility in Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development. The site under consideration is Alliance Gateway 34, a large industrial building located at Westport Parkway and Independence Parkway. The proposed project would involve a minimum capital investment of $74 million, which includes approximately $6 million in real estate construction and the remainder for office space and equipment. The company aims to allocate at least 30% of its office and equipment budget to small businesses.
To support the project, the city has proposed a package of up to $4.5 million in tax incentives and grants spread over a decade. These incentives are contingent upon Mach Industries hiring a minimum of 1,000 employees with an average annual salary of $67,470. The company must maintain at least 600 jobs to qualify for prorated benefits. City economic development officials emphasize that the new facility would generate a significant number of skilled manufacturing and engineering positions in the aerospace and defense sectors, aligning with Fort Worth’s strategic economic goals.
Fort Worth, designated as the aviation and defense capital of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott last year, hosts more than 600 aerospace and defense companies, including major employers such as Bell and Lockheed Martin. The city’s ability to provide competitive incentives and demonstrate strong local support has been cited as a key factor in Mach Industries’ preference for the site.
Discussions between Mach Industries and city representatives have been ongoing since November 2025, with Fort Worth competing against other locations statewide and nationally. A final decision on the facility’s location is anticipated in the third quarter of 2026. Mach Industries plans to open up to four new production facilities by the end of the year, reflecting its rapid expansion and commitment to integrating advanced manufacturing and innovative technologies.