FORT WORTH, Texas (May 15, 2025) — Alliance Corridor, Inc. announces its partnership with the University of North Texas (UNT) and its prestigious Department of Supply Chain Management within G. Brint Ryan College of Business. Through the partnership, students in UNT’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management senior-level classes are provided with hands-on, expert resources from the Alliance Corridor, Inc. Foreign-Trade Zone to better understand global trade, commerce and Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs).
Alliance Corridor, Inc. (FTZ #196 Grantee) administers the Foreign-Trade Zone program, which operates in and around Hillwood’s 27,000-acre AllianceTexas mixed-use, master-planned development. On behalf of Alliance Corridor, Inc., Hillwood’s Joshua Griffith, Managing-Director of FTZ #196, provided real-time trade knowledge and supply chain logistics experience with the class, which launched at the beginning of the 2025 Spring semester.
“Our team is committed to helping provide the resources necessary for developing our future workforce, so we are proud to partner with UNT and support students in learning how Foreign-Trade Zones can optimize supply chain strategies,” Griffith said. “Regardless of their industry of choice following graduation, each student in this class will leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of Foreign-Trade Zones and their role in facilitating commerce. Workforce career-readiness is essential to the region’s long-term economic vitality. This initiative marks a significant step forward, made possible through the valued partnership of UNT, TTI Inc., Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., and trade consultants James Grogan and Matt Williams.”
During the semester, students toured AllianceTexas-based companies inside FTZ #196 and learned about the potential economic benefits from FTZs which include: improved cash flow, reduced inventory tax, elimination of export duty, ease of expansion, job creation and more. Students also gained real-life experience by participating in a pitch competition in front of industry executives.
“Exposing our students to actual business scenarios develops valuable critical thinking skills, and our longstanding relationship with Hillwood allows us to tap into the resources at FTZ #196,” said Brian Sauser, professor and chair of UNT’s Department of Supply Chain Management. “Our region’s employers depend on an agile workforce that can evolve with the ever-changing technology in supply chain management. Thanks to this strategic partnership, we’ve enhanced our students’ supply chain education with practical applications that can help strengthen young professionals’ career opportunities.”
Boasting the fourth-ranked Logistics and Supply Chain Management undergraduate program in North America, according to the Gartner Supply Chain University Top 25 Rankings, UNT is the first major university to partner with a Foreign-Trade Zone. This partnership is the latest example of Hillwood’s abiding focus on regional workforce development through innovative collaborations with school districts, colleges, companies and job seekers.
FTZ #196 within AllianceTexas consists of more than 9,600 acres and ranks among the top general-purpose Foreign-Trade Zones in the United States for the value of foreign merchandise admitted to the zone. Corporate residents who take advantage of the program typically see significant economic benefits, flexibility and resilience through the Foreign-Trade Zone designation and the development’s advanced multi-modal program.
Alliance Corridor, Inc. has also joined UNT’s Corporate Partnerships Program and UNT’s Supply Chain Industry Advisory Board, further demonstrating its commitment to educating our future leaders.
About Alliance Corridor, Inc.
Alliance Corridor, Inc., Foreign-Trade Zone #196 Grantee, administers the program within the AllianceTexas region,— an area designated by the U.S. government that includes secure sites where qualifying merchandise is considered outside of U.S. Customs territory. This designation allows participating companies to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and enhance supply chain strategies through duty deferral, elimination, or reduction/inversion. FTZ #196, supported by a robust multi-modal logistics platform, can provide meaningful advantages to manufacturers and distributors operating in the region. Alliance Corridor, Inc. is a member of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones and the Texas Association of Foreign Trade Zones. The FTZ program continues to serve as a critical driver of regional economic development. For more information, visit: alliancecorridorinc.com.
About the University of North Texas
Ranked a Tier One research institution by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is one of the nation’s largest public research universities with more than 46,000 students who push creative boundaries and graduate with credentials of value so they can become tomorrow’s leaders. UNT is recognized as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the population of Texas. UNT students earned nearly 13,000 degrees last year in 240 degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. With a focus on academic excellence and graduating career-ready students, UNT has served as a catalyst for creativity since its founding in 1890, continually fueling progress, entrepreneurship and innovation for the North Texas region, the state — and beyond.
The UNT community is guided by five shared values — Courageous Integrity, Be Curious, We Care, Better Together and Show Your Fire.