Understanding the Impact of Recessions on Businesses

In today's rapidly changing economic landscape, businesses are constantly faced with the challenge of navigating through uncertain times. Recessions, in particular, can significantly impact the survival and success of businesses across various industries. It is crucial for business owners and entrepreneurs to understand how recessions can affect their operations and to take proactive steps to future-proof their businesses.

Introduction to Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity has become paramount in this digital age, where technological advancements have transformed how businesses operate. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, businesses must prioritize cyber protection.

Introduction to Economic Development

Economic development is crucial to fostering growth, prosperity, and stability within communities. It encompasses various strategies, initiatives, and policies to improve an area's economic well-being. In the case of Amarillo, economic development plays a vital role in shaping the future of this vibrant Texan city. Amarillo can unlock its full potential and build stronger communities for its residents by promoting economic growth.

‍Introduction to Labor Day in Amarillo

Labor Day is a significant holiday in Amarillo, Texas, as it allows us to recognize and appreciate our local workforce's hard work and dedication. This day holds a special place in our hearts as we pay tribute to the contributions made by workers in various industries that drive our economy. It is a time to celebrate their achievements and express gratitude for their commitment to building a prosperous Amarillo.

Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is an organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and prosperity in the city of Amarillo, Texas. With a focus on attracting new businesses, retaining existing ones, and fostering entrepreneurship, AEDC plays a pivotal role in the economic climate of Amarillo.

As businesses navigate the uncertain waters of economic downturns, it becomes paramount to have a solid plan to safeguard operations and emerge stronger when the tides turn. Recessionary periods can be challenging, but with the right strategies, Amarillo businesses can weather the storm and position themselves for growth in the future. In this blog post, we'll explore nine pro tips to help protect your business during a recession.

There is an increasingly prominent realization that innovation is no longer a mere buzzword for business growth. It has become a decisive driving force behind economic development, shaping how communities progress, industries transform, and economies thrive. At the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), we are committed to leveraging innovation to stimulate sustainable economic growth in our city.

As a business owner looking to expand into new markets, you may be searching for the perfect location that offers an excellent quality of life and a thriving business ecosystem. Enter Amarillo, Texas - a hidden gem in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Amarillo Economic Development is here to support you as you explore the myriad opportunities available in Amarillo.

Destinations must adopt innovative marketing strategies to stand out in the competitive tourism industry. Search advertising is a powerful tool for tourism-driven marketing, and many destination cities have already adopted it. 

Over the last few years, we've seen a severe talent shortage as COVID drove more than 5 million out of the labor force in April 2020. Of course, there are solutions to this problem, including pay, alternate schedules, hybrid work, and feedback/recognition. But what does that mean for your Amarillo business? Let's discuss some ideas for addressing talent and labor shortages.  

In today's competitive job market, it can be a daunting task for companies to attract and hire top talent. The competition is fierce, and candidates have numerous options to choose from. Companies need to be innovative and strategic in their approach to hiring.

In the vast landscape of the Lone Star State lies Amarillo, a city that embraces its Western heritage while pursuing a vibrant future. Over the years, Amarillo has witnessed significant growth and development, transforming into a bustling hub of economic activity. This blog post will explore the importance of economic development in Amarillo, Texas, and how it plays a pivotal role in shaping the city's present and future.

Over the past decade, the world of economic development has evolved significantly. The ideas that shape the financial world are rapidly changing from how business is conducted daily to how distributors deliver their wares.  As a result, business owners looking to expand or relocate to Amarillo must consider new ideas to ensure their businesses will thrive. To help, we’ve created a short list highlighting lessons we’ve learned over the last few years. 

Following the State of the Economy breakfast, the Amarillo EDC is providing the materials presented at the event. In this blog post, you can download Kevin Carter's AEDC presentation, Laura Street's launch of The Range, workforce presentations from Rebecca Gehman and Amanda Ellis, and the 2022 Amarillo EDC Annual Report. 

Maybe you’ve seen them in your hometown, or perhaps you noticed them while traveling through another city. Chances are, when you’ve encountered one, you stopped for a great picture opportunity or just took a moment to get off your feet and take in the surroundings. Scattered around many of the great metropolis and even smaller cities are beautiful places where locals and tourists can co-mingle and share in an appreciation of something that may seem somewhat trivial but is quite functional. 

Amarillo, Texas is a city that is committed to economic development, job creation, and fostering a thriving business environment. With a diverse range of companies projected to create thousands of new jobs and make significant capital expenditures, the city is fostering a thriving business environment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the companies and programs contributing to Amarillo’s economic growth, as well as the recognition our city has received for its efforts. 

Security may not always be the highest priority that a beginning company considers, but it is extremely important as a business grows. Security breaches can wreak havoc on your company and lead to huge recovery expenses. In fact, the average cost of a data breach is somewhere around $9.44 million in the U.S. Don’t let a security breach be the end of your business. Here’s how you can protect your company. 

Hiring good employees used to be as easy as posting a sign on a street-facing window of your business. After a while, it evolved into posting in the newspaper and on billboards, then it became necessary to post on internet job boards and websites. Now, it’s time for recruiters and hiring managers to embrace the change again. 

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has announced Amarillo as a recipient of its annual Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) for 2022. The awards were presented at the Award Luncheon at the TEDC’s 2022 Annual Conference on Thursday, October 20th, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced Producer Owned Beef, LLC (“POB”) will create a new beef processing plant in Amarillo. The plant will harvest 3,000 cattle per day and sell beef and beef byproducts both in and out of Texas. The new facility allows Texas cattle producers to access the value chain and keep hundreds of millions of dollars in Texas. The project will create more than 1,500 new jobs and generate $670 million in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $12.2 million has been extended to POB. In addition, a Veteran Created Job Bonus of $8,000 has been offered.

On June 27, 2022, CVMR® (Texas) along with representatives from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for CVMR® (Texas). This ceremony marked Amarillo, Texas as the site for the first environmentally neutral industrial-scale critical minerals refinery in the country. 

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has announced the recipients of their statewide 2022 Workforce Excellence Awards. Six recipients have been awarded in their respective population categories. A total of seventeen nominees overall were recognized for their workforce projects.

Following the Build Your Talent Toolbox: Take Root in Amarillo | Job Up workshop, the Amarillo EDC is providing the materials released at the event. You can download Chris Hodges' presentation and Sabrina Meck Perez's presentation in this blog post. 

At the 2022 State of the Economy Luncheon, the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation announced a new platform integration to the Take Root In Amarillo website, Job Up.

Following the State of the Economy luncheon, the Amarillo EDC is providing the materials presented at the event. In this blog post, you can download Dr. Anne Macy's keynote presentation, Kevin Carter's presentation, and the 2021 Amarillo EDC Annual Report. 

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the expansion of Caviness Beef Packers in Amarillo. This ratification comes after the approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors earlier today, February 22, 2022. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement which will allow Caviness to hire an additional 100 full-time employees, over a three-year period. Additionally, a new Caviness processing facility is currently under construction at South Loop 335 and Washington, set to be completed this Spring.

Adrian Meander, a Vice President of Amarillo National Bank, is the newest member of the Amarillo EDC's Board of Directors. Adrian is very active in the community, having served on numerous civic boards including the Northside Toy Drive, Amarillo Museum of Art, St. Anthony’s Legacy Redevelopment Corporation, and Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. In the past, he has served in various board capacities with Amarillo Area CASA, Opportunity School, College Success Initiative, and the Center City Polk Street Block Party. Adrian is also a graduate of Amarillo 101, Potter County Sheriff Citizens Academy, and Randall County Sheriff Citizens Academy.

Approval ushers in the creation of 80 new full-time jobs

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to support attracting Torkworx to Amarillo. This ratification comes after the approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on July 19, 2021. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement to allow Torkworx to hire 80 new full-time employees over two years. 

Approval ushers in the creation of 50 new full-time jobs

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to support the expansion of RCC Brass in Amarillo. This ratification comes after the approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on July 19, 2021. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement that will allow RCC Brass to hire an additional 50 full-time employees over a five-year period. 

Approval ushers in the creation of 100 new full-time jobs

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to support North Heights Linen Service in Amarillo. This ratification comes after the approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on June 28, 2021. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement that will allow North Heights Linen Service to hire 100 new full-time employees over a five-year period.

Amarillo, TX has been my home since the day I was born. I have always loved living in Amarillo and finding new ways to enjoy the city. Over the past 18 years of my life, I have watched Amarillo grow into the Yellow City we know today. This past year I stepped out of the Yellow City and moved to Austin by myself to go to the University of Texas.

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has announced the recipients of our 2021 Workforce Excellence Awards. Six recipients have been awarded the TEDC 2021 Workforce Excellence Award in their respective population categories. A total of twelve nominees overall were recognized for their workforce projects. 

The agreement ensures headquarters to remain in Amarillo for the next 10 years

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a business retention incentive presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the retention of the  American Quarter Horse Association’s International Headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. This ratification follows the approval of the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on May 18, 2021.  

This initiative aims to show college-age interns what Amarillo has to offer

Today, the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) announced the third-annual Intern Experience: Uncover Amarillo. The program aims to show college-age interns, both Panhandle native and from across the country, what Amarillo has to offer through community-based events. The official launch of the program took place last year, following a pilot program in 2019.

Event to launch on Amarillo EDC website on March 24

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) announced that the organization’s annual State of the Economy event will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The virtual event will be made available on the Amarillo EDC’s website at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 24, with a rerun of the event airing on Panhandle PBS at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 25, 2021. The event will provide a brief update of Amarillo’s economic outlook and feature a keynote speech discussing macroeconomic issues and how they impact our community.

Hungry babies have an unexpected champion in this heroic firefighter and his brother-in-law.

Approval ushers in the creation of 50 new jobs

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the expansion of Micro Technologies, a part of MWI Animal Health, in Amarillo. This ratification comes after approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on September 21, 2020. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement which will allow MWI Animal Health to hire an additional 50 full-time employees and expand its facility.

Amarillo is known for its vast open plains and gusty winds, but there's a lot more going on in Amarillo, Texas than one might suspect.

If you're not familiar with Amarillo, Texas you'd probably be surprised to know it's one of the most business-friendly cities in the country. And then you'd nod your head and move along.

Networking lets you put your best face forward. Put yourself out there and good things happen.

An Intern's Thoughts on the Amarillo Intern Experience

Hi, it’s Lisa Silvestre, the Amarillo EDC’s summer intern. I recently participated in the Amarillo Intern Experience, a program that gathers college-age interns who are working for local businesses for a variety of events that showcase what Amarillo has to offer.

The purchase will position Amarillo to be competitive in various industry sectors

Today, the Amarillo City Council approved a $4 million land purchase made by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC). This ratification follows the approval of the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors meeting on July 20, 2020. The purchase is for 37.6 acres of property in the Point West Development located at Point West Parkway and Evans Drive.

With an ever-changing workforce climate, we understand that you want to hire the right people, and ultimately keep the right people in order to build and grow your organizations. In your search to hire (specifically during a pandemic setting), you may find yourself exhausting your resources or your HR departments. We at the Amarillo EDC wanted to create tools for you to recruit and retain talent and ultimately grow your business.

Relocating businesses find the growth opportunities, low taxes, and vibrant business community they want in West Texas.

Approval ushers in 40 new jobs to the area economy

Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the attraction of Sharpened Iron Studios to Amarillo. This ratification comes after approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on June 22, 2020. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement which will allow Sharpened Iron Studios to initially hire 40 full time employees.

Business, higher education, and the community at large are working together to heat up everything from commerce to jobs.

Hi! My name is Lisa Silvestre. I am a first-generation student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Mexican American Studies. I hope to someday have my own non-profit mental health clinic and be able to help low-income families get the mental health help they need.

This initiative aims to show college-age interns what Amarillo has to offer

Today, the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced the launch of its latest initiative, the Amarillo Intern Experience. The program aims to show college-age interns who are not from Amarillo what the city has to offer through community-based events. The official launch of the program follows last year’s pilot launch with a small number of businesses.

#AmarilloIsOpen Program will provide funds to a limited number of small businesses

Yesterday, the Amarillo City Council approved a budget amendment proposed by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) that allows the launch of the #AmarilloIsOpen program. This initiative allows local businesses to become marketing partners with the Amarillo EDC. This ratification follows the Amarillo EDC’s Board of Directors approval on May 18, 2020.

West Texas is making strides toward a tech-driven economic future.

Technology looms large among the many factors enticing new businesses to launch and existing businesses to relocate or expand in the Amarillo area. "Technology in the West Texas region is growing," says Kimberly Gramm, senior managing director of the Innovation Hub at Research Park. "In addition to the robust technology environment at Texas Tech University System (TTUS), located in Lubbock, Texas, the businesses in the area have also embraced technology for their many needs."

In an unprecedented time of people working remotely, there are new opportunities to engage both the current and future workforce. "Now more than ever employees are taking the time to look within to determine who they are and what is important to them. A crisis naturally has folks pause and look within," said Margaret Graziano, High-Performance Culture Strategist, KeenAlignment.

Hey everyone, my Name is Isaac Cardenas Casillas, and it’s a pleasure to meet you!  I was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but I’ve lived here in the Canyon/Amarillo area for half of my life.  I’m about to graduate from West Texas A&M University with my B.B.A. in Finance and a Minor in Economics, so you could say that I’m a pretty good fit for the Texas Panhandle Regional Development Corporation and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.  I plan to continue my education at WTAMU to pursue my Master of Science in Finance and Economics.  Before you ask, yes, I am a nerd.

Storage, collaboration, finance, conferencing, and e-commerce solutions for growing businesses.

Everyone knows just how much of an impact technology has had on global business, but if there's one segment that has benefited the most from technological innovation it's entrepreneurs. With mobile phones, cloud computing, do-it-yourself accounting software and ubiquitous connectivity, business owners can now create successful companies quickly and from anywhere.

Businesses often find it's cheaper, easier, and friendlier to relocate to smaller cities.

The day after Braden Black finished high school in Amarillo, Texas, he packed a suitcase, hopped in his car, and left, not sure if he'd never come back. He went to Dayton, Ohio, where, in 2001, he started his own business, a staffing construction company called Skilled Corp. At the time, the economy was booming and skilled labor was in demand, but companies had trouble filling positions. Black saw an opportunity to connect workers with the businesses that needed them.

Organizations ban together to launch website to support local businesses

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) in partnership with the Northwest Texas Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the WT Enterprise Center, and Workforce Solutions Panhandle, launched a website of business and employee resources specific to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in an effort to help citizens stay informed and make appropriate business decisions.

Amarillo EDC urges citizens to shop local, follow guidelines set by local officials, and continue to take precautions

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) is dedicated to supporting, strengthening and diversifying our local economy. 

Amarillo is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology, oncology and aerospace research (to name just a few).

Following January's State of the Economy event, the Amarillo EDC is providing its full 2020 Economic Outlook Report. As the event was designed to be informative for the community, business owners, and students. The following materials were made to be a resource to help community members make informed decisions moving into this year. 

Canadian company to establish U.S. Operations in Amarillo

Today the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the attraction of Suspendem Inc. to Amarillo. This ratification comes after approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on January 16, 2020. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide an incentive agreement which will allow Suspendem Inc. to hire up to 150 full-time employees.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) announced details for the organization’s Second Annual State of the Economy event to be held on January 22, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room of the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S Buchanan St. The event will provide a brief update of Amarillo’s economic outlook and feature a keynote speech discussing macroeconomic issues and how they impact our community.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) today announced the launch of a job and internship board on TakeRootInAmarillo.com, the new community website that gives businesses, job seekers, students, and individuals looking to learn more about city life a special look into the rich cultural, economic, and social benefits of living and working in the city of Amarillo. As an employment resource, the website now has a live job board section, where employers can post local job opportunities that offer a salary of over $45,000 a year. In addition to jobs, internship positions for students and community members will be posted by local companies.

Approval ushers in 150 new jobs to the area economy

Today the Amarillo City Council approved a Location Incentive Agreement presented by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) to support the attraction of SSI Foods, LLC to Amarillo. This ratification comes after approval by the Amarillo EDC Board of Directors on September 23, 2019. This final step in the approval process allows the Amarillo EDC to provide a 17.10-acre parcel in the CenterPort Business Park for the construction of the 75,000 sq. ft facility which will employ up to 150 full-time employees.

Amarillo EDC has pledged up to $69M toward completion of the project

On June 15th, Texas Governor Greg Abbott authorized a budget approved by the Texas Legislature that will allocate $17.35 million in operational funding for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (TTUSVM) in Amarillo, a move that will strengthen the school’s existing educational investment in the High Plains while providing additional incentives for students and animal health professionals who live and work in the community.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) today announced its re-commitment to the organization’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program which will drive economic growth in the community through the focused support of established and growing Amarillo businesses as well as the advancement of ongoing workforce development initiatives in Amarillo. To fill this position, the Amarillo EDC has appointed Michael Kitten, who most recently served as Dean of Technical Education at Amarillo College.

The latest episode of Amarillo Economic Development Corporation’s Build Your Talent Toolbox was focused on Hiring the Right People. Margaret Graziano, a leading talent management expert from Keen Alignment, spoke about creating purpose-driven roles and setting the right expectations for employees. Sabrina Meck Perez, AEDC’s Director of Workforce Attraction & Retention, sat down with local employer Joshua Raef, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Georgia Street, to get a local perspective of how to hire the right people in the Amarillo area.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Kevin Carter as President and CEO, effective April 1. Mr. Carter’s selection was confirmed today during a meeting of the Board of Directors. His appointment follows an extensive search for the city’s new economic development leader.

Scott Bentley, the Amarillo market President and current Board of Directors members of First United Bank, is the newest member of the Amarillo EDC's Board of Directors. Scott is very active in the community having served on numerous civic boards including Golden Spread Council of Boy Scouts, Amarillo/Canyon United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Community Advisory Board, and the Amarillo Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

Following a successful State of the Economy event, the Amarillo EDC is happy to provide the event materials to the public. As the event was designed with the intention to educate and provide critical information for business owners, consumers and students to make informed materials, the Amarillo EDC is pleased to make these valuable materials available to the greater community. 

During the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation’s latest episode of Build Your Talent Toolbox, Sam Silverstein, national keynote speaker, helped employers see the value in building a culture to retain the right employees. Sam teamed up with Cal Zant, President of Betenbough Homes, a local employer in Amarillo, Lubbock, and Midland.  After they shared their experience and expertise on work culture, Sabrina Meck Perez, AEDC Director of Workforce Attraction & Retention, sat down with both Sam and Cal to share their thoughts with you on the importance of being purposeful with work culture.

Event aims to shed light on national and local trends shaping the area’s economy

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) announced today their plans to host the organization’s inaugural State of the Economy event to be held on January 31, 2019, at 7:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The event will provide a brief update on Amarillo’s economy while national economic leaders will discuss how macroeconomic issues affect the growth of the community. 

As we visit with many businesses, it becomes clear that a prominent challenge facing employers is the opportunity to engage with local students in a way that offers the greatest impression with minimal amount of sacrifice in work productivity. This is why the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) highlighted Junior Achievement of the High Plains in our first “Build Your Talent Toolbox” event. Junior Achievement (JA) helps employers bridge this gap and provides staff an opportunity to interact with local students.

Amarillo City Council Approves Incentives for Local Business Expansion

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors announced today their support in the expansion of Amarillo-area business Asset Protection Unit.  Over the next five years, the project will create more than 125 jobs in the Amarillo area, adding $5M in additional payroll.  

Asset Protection Unit, LLC, a leading provider of data mining and overpayment recovery for insurance and related industries, will create more than 125 jobs in the Amarillo area over the next five years. The positions will support the business unit's ability to support new insurance carriers.  

"We are thrilled to support growing businesses in the Amarillo-area," stated AEDC Board Chairwoman Laura Street. "As a Board, we enjoy investing in the growth of area companies that have and will continue to give back to the community. These projects highlight the on-going growth in Amarillo and the AEDC's focus on expansion and retention."  

Interim President and CEO Doug Nelson stated, "Anytime the organization can invest in successful local businesses that are growing, we consider that a win." 

The AEDC's support of the two expansions is the first step toward final approval of financial incentives for the two projects. The Amarillo City Council will consider the two projects at an upcoming Council meeting on December 4, 2018. Incentives may only be awarded upon final approval by City Council.  

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (Amarillo EDC) is the primary economic development engine of the Amarillo community, responsible for industry growth and job creation through business attraction and retention initiatives.  The mission of the Amarillo EDC is to attract businesses to Amarillo which offer highly skilled, highly-paid positions; to expand and retain existing local businesses in Amarillo, and to foster a business environment conducive to entrepreneurship.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors today formally appointed Doug Nelson as the company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Nelson succeeds Barry Albrecht, the company’s prior President and CEO, who announced his resignation on November 6, 2018.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) board of directors and its president and CEO, Barry Albrecht, have mutually agreed to separate so that Mr. Albrecht can spend more time with his ailing parents.

You’re only as strong as your team. And a company is only as strong as its workforce. We know businesses, cities, educators, non-profits and everyone in between is constantly looking for the right talent who will stick around and be assets for their organization. But it is tough! With low unemployment, labor participation and new generations entering the workforce, the challenges of recruiting, retaining and engaging employees can be daunting and harmful to a business.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) today announced the reinvestment of funding originally awarded to the Fairly Group in an agreement reached in 2017. The agreement provided Fairly Group funds to allow for the expansion of high-quality jobs at its Amarillo headquarters. In the past year, the agreement has produced $27,000 for the company.

The Metro-Amarillo economy recognized an accelerated rate of growth in 2018, surging to 2.8%. In a report, released today by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and prepared by Mark Snead, President of RegionTrack, data describes that the reported growth rate outpaces the national average of 1.6% for the same twelve-month period.

Lloyd Brown, CEO of Integrated Advantage Group and co-founder of Smart Chemical Services, is the newest member of the Amarillo EDC’s Board of Directors. He was a member of the Amarillo JCs, president of the Amarillo Club, and currently serves on the church board at Pinnacle Community Church.

The Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees voted Thursday evening to approve the school district’s financial participation in the THRIVE Amarillo Scholarship program.

College just got a little more affordable.

A new scholarship with Amarillo College, THRIVE, will allow more than 8,500 students to receive two years of college courses at no charge. The scholarship, which covers the next six years, is a "last money in" tuition assistance program that applies to 60 hours of tuition, books, and even fees at AC. 

Yesterday, the Amarillo City Council approved an amendment that could bring hundreds into Amarillo and shape the city as a foundation for educational growth. The amendment, which altered the 2016 agreement between the Texas Tech University System and the Amarillo EDC, will provide an investment of up to $69 million to ensure the construction of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (TTU SVM) in Amarillo.

There’s a little P.T. Barnum in all of us. We all tend to think our hometown is the greatest show on earth. And while a good dose of hyperbole plays a role in burnishing a city’s image, businesses dig much deeper when making serious moves involving startups or expansions in new locations.

On the northwestern edge of Amarillo, Texas, a collection of massive buildings looks out toward an unrolling landscape of arroyos, mesas and flickering yellow grass. Scanning this broken terrain, a visitor may think not much has changed here since the nineteenth century. In fact, Billy the Kid used to ride among these very gullies. But Billy himself would likely be shocked to learn that, inside these modern structures, some of the most advanced brain studies in the nation are being conducted.

Elizabeth Carter is a millennial and Amarillo native. She attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and received her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Degree. Following graduation, Carter moved to Dallas. After several years, however, she relocated back to Amarillo. She has remained here ever since.

Perched atop the high, flat prairie of the Texas Panhandle, the city of Amarillo is experiencing a cultural boom. Through much of the twentieth century, Amarillo often felt like an outpost on the edge of the universe. Yet, with the advent of the internet, the city has launched itself into the new century with gusto.

Millennial John David Willimon was born and raised in Liberal, Kansas. But when a job opportunity opened up at Matra Petroleum in Amarillo, he eagerly made the move.

Being a small business isn't always a downside. In business-friendly regions like Amarillo, small operations can use their size to their advantage, responding quickly to changing markets and customer needs as they evolve. This creates a base of loyal clients and steady income that small business owners can use as a foundation to grow and upsize their operations in new and exciting directions.

Millennial Jesse Patton is the Communications Coordinator for the City of Amarillo. He was born in Corpus Christi, but his family moved to Amarillo when he was six months old. Since then, he has become a part of the community and now considers Amarillo his true home.

The Amarillo EDC is pleased to announce that we have hired Sabrina Meck as the Director of Workforce Attraction & Retention.

At Amarillo High School, I was required to take economics my senior year, like everyone else. If I'm being honest, I barely understood what was going on in that class and somehow finished with a good grade. I bet you're wondering how I ended up becoming the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation's intern. Let me explain...

Communication and collaboration are the keys to success. Often, however, businesses focus more on competition than collaboration.

Several organizations in Amarillo are trying to change that.

At the beginning of 2017, the Amarillo EDC committed to increasing and improving our communications. After all, Amarillo has an incredible story. We needed to do a better job of telling it – both on a local and a national level.

So how did we execute this commitment, and did it bring any tangible outcomes?

Melissa Sager is a millennial, senior designer at Cre8 Direct, Inc. and the owner of Things Like Us. Born and raised in Amarillo, Sager moved away to attend the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Fifteen years later, after she and her husband had their first child, she moved back to her hometown.

Could living in a mid-sized city actually be advantageous for your business?

According to a recent study, this may be the case.

Millennial Zivorad Filipovic works as the marketing manager at the Amarillo Symphony. He received the "Top 20 Under 40" award from the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce in 2017. He has a passion for Amarillo’s local art events, the Amarillo Community Market and the theater productions.

It was an honor for me to have been invited to attend the Inc. 5000 Conference in Palm Springs, CA, to represent Amarillo College and Amarillo.

It's exciting and humbling to join a team of community and business leaders from the Panhandle that is so focused on the vision of growing Amarillo and bringing companies and jobs to the Panhandle region.

The last time I talked at length about ecosystems was likely in my high school biology class. Or perhaps it was when I helped my son with his science project in 5th grade.

Until I attended the Kauffman Foundation’s inaugural EShip Summit this summer in Kansas City, I certainly hadn’t considered my community as a complex ecosystem, with each business, organization and resident playing a vital role.

Mindi McLain is a 35-year-old partner and lawyer at Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin (BMWB). She attended Texas A&M University for her undergraduate degree and earned a law degree from Texas Tech University. She is a problem-solver, helping local entrepreneurs and business owners grow and execute plans for success.

Last month, Amazon announced plans to open another headquarters in North America. Called "HQ2," the facility will cost at least $5 billion to construct and operate, and will employ as many as 50,000 workers.

Cities and regional economic development organizations have been invited to submit proposals, due by October 19.

This past August, Inc. Magazine released its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, highlighting the fastest-growing businesses in the nation.

Among those was Smart Chemical Services, a local business that provides chemical and operational solutions for drilling, oil field production, water, and more for the oil and gas industry.

Joseph B. Peterson Jr. currently works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones and Associates. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Peterson grew up in Amarillo and received his bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University and master’s from Texas Tech University.

Every year, Inc. Magazine puts together a list of America’s top entrepreneurs. These companies are fast-growing private firms that create value and employment opportunities on both a local and national scale.

As part of the partnership with Amarillo EDC and area community partners, Inc. Magazine has created a page on its website to highlight the entrepreneurial and growth potential of Amarillo.

This Tuesday, the Amarillo EDC agreed to a $1.8 million deal with the Fairly Group during the Board of Directors meeting.

The deal, which marks the second deal reached during the last four months, could potentially keep Texas Panhandle talent local.

Samantha “Sammi” Gallagher is a millennial, project director, industry leader, and award-winning equestrian. As Project Director at ROI Online, an Internet Marketing Company, she serves as the main point of contact between clients and the company, ensuring both parties work toward the same goals. She jokingly refers to herself as a “professional cat-herder.”

Amarillo may be headed toward success when it comes to our economic future. However, there are other aspects of the city’s infrastructure that we may need to address.

Over the next few weeks, the Amarillo EDC will continue our Millennial Campaign, where we showcase distinguished young professionals in our community. The millennial of this month is Samantha “Sammi” Gallagher.

Amarillo’s millennial generation is making an impact on our community.

As our educational resources expand, more young professionals are heading to Amarillo to further their careers.

Amarillo has long been recognized as a hub for agricultural growth. However, with the establishment and expansion of West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech Health Services, and Amarillo College, more young professions are heading into the city to further their education and experience. Amarillo is becoming a melting pot for entrepreneurs, business professionals and industry leaders alike.

No Limits No Excuses strives for student success and education in hopes of ending issues of poverty in the Amarillo community. The program began in 2011, funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal for No Limits No Excuses is to gain 10,000 more degrees by 2025.

Amarillo Little Theater (ALT) has been in production since 1927. It is one of the nation’s longest continuously running theaters.  All productions are conducted by volunteers in the community. The theater hosts mainstage productions as well as academy productions.

Angela Knapp Eggers is the Senior Director of Community Outreach at the Laura W. Bush Institute. The institute, created in 2007, funds research on sex- and gender-based medicine as well as other innovative and lifesaving missions.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart took presidency at Amarillo College in 2014. Since taking presidency, Lowery-Hart has increased school enrollment by reassessing values in higher education.

Amarillo National Bank has been a key economic contributor to the Amarillo community. The Wares’ last name is well known for their community influence. For five generations, the Ware family has owned ANB.

Corporate and educational institutions in Amarillo,Texas, announced Friday night that they will be partnering with Inc. Magazine in a two-year campaign to highlight the city as a destination for entrepreneurs and growth-oriented companies.

Dana West is the current superintendent of Amarillo Independent School District. She received her bachelor and master’s degree from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview.

The Amarillo EDC is excited to announce the Amarillo City Council has approved a $13.0 million incentive to Maxor National Pharmacy Services, LLC.

Developing the Align Amarillo Economic Development Strategic Plan has been a cooperative process from the beginning. The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and City of Amarillo contracted Avalanche Consulting of Austin and Community Development Strategies (CDS) of Houston to help them engage the residents and businesses of Amarillo and build a comprehensive economic development strategy for the entire community.

Since my first days at the Amarillo EDC, one of my primary mantras has been that “education IS economic development.”

If you’ve attended any of our recent events or read any of my other blog posts, you know this is one of my core beliefs with regards to growing a community’s economic base. Education, to me, is a driver and predictor of a city’s economic future.

Celeste Paulson is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations at West Texas A&M University. She is interning at the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.

When you think of Amarillo, what do you see? What does the future of the community, its residents, its educational opportunities and businesses look like?

The Amarillo EDC is creating a vision statement for our city, but we need your input to make that vision a reality.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 West Texas A&M University EnterPrize Challenge!

An inspiring and diverse group of Amarillo entrepreneurs competed this year. Get to know the three winners.

When it comes to economic development, there are several substantial differences between policies and procedures. Though people regularly confuse these words, they have distinct meanings that should be clarified and understood. Let's take a look at what procedures and policies really are, how they differ from one another and how they function in unison.

Laura Street is the newest board member of the Amarillo EDC. In February, the City Council selected Street to fill the empty board seat vacated when Ginger Nelson, who resigned to focus on her mayoral campaign.

Having grown up in a military family, I’ve been lucky to see so much of the world. My father retired from the Army after serving three tours in Vietnam as a helicopter gunship pilot, so when I joined the Army as an aviator, I was familiar and welcomed all the experiences the military had to offer.

Under the direction of the newly appointed President & CEO, Barry Albrecht, the Amarillo EDC is creating a 120-day plan to refocus our attention to our organizational framework, our duty to educating and advising the community and aggressively recruiting new industry to better strengthen and support Amarillo.

The Amarillo Economic Development Board of Directors is pleased to announce Barry Albrecht as President and CEO, effective January 23, 2017.

“The V-280 will be a medium utility, attack, combat search and rescue aircraft. It seats 11-14 passengers, is self-deployable up to 2,100 nautical miles, can lift over 10,000 pounds and cruise at 280 miles per hour. To have that content and capability in the fleet — whether military, international, or commercial — the V-280 will change the way the world flies.”

The Bell V-280 Valor has the capability to transform the battlefield and save the lives of our soldiers, boasting “twice the speed, twice the range of current helicopters.” This next-generation tiltrotor aircraft exemplifies modern technology, its speed, range, payload and operational agility unmatched by any other helicopter platform. Designed to reduce weight and lower total lifecycle and support costs, the V-280 Valor’s mission is to improve warfighers’ battlefield productivity and operational reach. Jeff Josselyn is the leader of the V-280 Assembly Team.

As a working mom with three children, I log on to Pinterest a lot. Not necessarily because I am crafty, but more because I am insanely busy.

The other day when I was scouring the site for a quick recipe that would make itself, I came across a great quote. It said, “I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family and dreams that turned into reality.”

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Jacob Breeden, owner of Process Art House.

I have always been a devotee of pursuing experiences. From my earliest years and through today, I have sought out opportunities to explore life from new and challenging perspectives. It has not always led me down the best of paths, but in my failures I find I learn the more profound lessons.

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Sammi Gallagher,‎ Project Director at ROI Online, an internet marketing agency.

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sammi Gallagher, Project Director at ROI Online, a nationally recognized internet marketing agency right here in Amarillo, Texas. I moved from Grand Blanc, Michigan, to Texas in 2011 and my only regret is not getting here sooner!

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Jacob Moreno,‎ co-founder of Altura Engineering & Design.

As I think back to my adolescent years and try to figure out why I wanted to be an entrepreneur, there are two people that come to mind. One is my dad, “Jimmy” Casimero Moreno, and the other is a group of people, the migrant workers I spent my summers with.

We often look back and wonder how it is that we find ourselves in the positions we’re in, but in my case, I know exactly what drove me to start my own business. It was the lessons that my father and the migrant workers taught me.

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Kyla Frye,‎ Marketing Communications Director - ‎West Texas A&M University Enterprise Center.

Growing up in Amarillo, there was always a stigma about staying here upon graduation or returning after college. Maybe every town goes through this, but I felt that it was said too often and continues to resonate in the minds of Amarillo’s youth.

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Kim May, President of Nobox Creative.

During the 2008 recession, small business owners had to become extremely savvy in their cash management, accounting for each dollar going in and coming out of their organization. New entrepreneurs hanging their shingle for the first time shared the same anxiety that long-term business owners had as they considered the future of their companies.

The Amarillo EDC and the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center is sending eight local entrepreneurs to represent our thriving business community at the INC. 5000 Conference & Gala in San Antonio in October. Each of the attendees has offered to contribute a blog about their experiences as an entrepreneur working in the Texas Panhandle. This is a guest post by Alejandro Magallanes, President of Spirit Solz & EasyMath App.

If I were to ask you, the reader, to describe yourself, how would you start?

Male or female? An entrepreneur or an employee? A professional? A parent? Passionate? Quiet?

Now let’s make things interesting. If I were to ask your friends to describe you, how would they start?

How One Texas City Stopped Focusing On Oil And Started Investing In Entrepreneurs

Every city in Texas remembers the 1980's. Early in the decade, the Lone Star State was booming. Oil was king and everyone seemed to be a part of the royal family. Whether they were driving Cadillacs or pick-up trucks, most Texans were basking in the glow of the black gold that simmered just below the rich Texas soil.

Growth doesn't just happen. It requires a careful balance of factors within the market. When these factors come together, they create an engine that drives the economy forward.

The stronger the factors, the greater the forward momentum an economy will experience. Some of these factors are permanently fixed, while others remain fluid throughout the economic cycle. Here are a five factors that are fueling Amarillo's economic growth.

Every fall, my neighbor starts working in his garden. He’s out early in the morning, dirt up to his elbows busy planting bulbs that will bloom in the spring. His yard and flowers look amazing each spring that it almost makes up for my I-have-three-kids-and-a full-time-job-with-no-time-to-think-about-daffodils yard.

I’d love to look outside my window each spring and see the same view he does. Real gardeners know a healthy yard and a beautiful flowerbed takes work. It takes time. It takes an investment by my neighbor throughout the year to tend to his garden so that the fruits and the flora will greet him in the spring.

There is another type of “gardening” that I learned about this summer: economic gardening.

Whether born from a brainstorm in the shower or thought up while daydreaming in a boardroom, new businesses provide significant opportunities within the economy. When the thoughts and ideas of entrepreneurs lead to the establishment of a new business, the entire community benefits.

A healthy economy requires small business growth and sustainability. When small businesses are healthy and prosperous, the community-at-large benefits and prospers, too. 

Success in business takes more than just having a dream. It's more than who you know and what you want to do. In order to achieve success, it's necessary to have the skills and training required to bring dreams into reality. That requires education, and an MBA is the degree businesses want their employees to have under their belts.

The Amarillo area is quickly becoming a "go-to" marketplace for businesses around the country. The goods produced here and the services provided by a skilled workforce are benefiting companies and communities from coast to coast. In turn, the revenues generated by sales and services significantly strengthen Amarillo's economy.

“[West Texas A&M University’s] mission is to give students a global perspective, a broader way of thinking. We try to do that in engineering as well. We try to show them that it is not just about a job or getting out to make money; it is about being the leaders technically for our region.” Dr. Emily Hunt, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at West Texas A&M University

Dr. Emily Hunt is the Dean and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at WTAMU. A Canyon native, she earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University. As a renowned engineer, researcher and author, Dr. Hunt is not only helping pave the way for female engineers in a male-dominated field, but is also positioning WT’s engineering programs competitive on a national scale.

“To foster economic growth, innovation clusters need to draw on the power of an interrelated ‘quad’ of sectors: public, private, civil, and academic.” - Ernest J. Wilson III, USC

Earlier this summer, in a meeting with Kyla Frye of the WT Enterprise Center, I was introduced to the concept of the “Quad,” an economic model created by a dean at the University of Southern California. Jeff Reid, Incubator Director at the WT Enterprise Center, had written a report on the model for an Economic Development capstone project.

In essence, the model suggests that collaboration and vision alignment across four sectors — government, business, nonprofit and academic — is the key to a community’s maintained economic growth.

Texas is tops for CEOs across the country according to the latest rankings released by Chief Executive Magazine. The latest survey means that it is the twelfth straight year that the state has been voted the best state in the nation for companies to do business.

Amarillo manufacturers often ask me, “Why can I not get my products or supplies off of the train that passes by my back window?” Good question. Let’s be honest — there are more than 100 trains per day that pass over the several hundreds of miles of railroad in Amarillo.

When a business opens its doors, it creates a ripple effect that spreads throughout the community. The larger the business grows, the greater the impact it will have on the economy as a whole. While tax abatements and incentives are temporary, the ripples they cast travel far into the future.

The bright light over Texas isn't just the sun passing by; it's growth that's settling in and creating positive jobs reports that show just how strong the state's economy is becoming. Based on the latest reports, it's clear Texas has a bright future for anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. 

“It is like the old saying, ‘you can’t see the mountain if you are standing on top of the mountain. You have to step off of the mountain and look, ‘oh look, there is a mountain.’ You do not see everything you have been through, when you are still experiencing it because you are too distracted. When I look back now, at the last five or six years, I am flabbergasted, but only if I step back and take a look.” Matt Darby, Speed Silks founder

Speed Silks creates custom jockey silks. These revolutionary, lightweight equine jockey uniforms. The fabric in which Speed Sillks' uniforms are made, Aero Dimplex®, is used by competitive cyclists, speed skaters and jockeys all over the globe, from the U.S. and Puerto Rico to England and France to Singapore and Australia. Speed Silks uniforms have been worn by Kentucky Derby jockeys since its founding in 2014, including the jockey of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in 2016.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Trent Morris, Director of Workforice Solutions Panhandle.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area has an unemployment rate of 2.8% in May of 2016 compared to the statewide rate of 4.2% and the national average of 4.5%. Amarillo has historically had a lower unemployment rate than the state and nation. As you see by the chart below, we follow the trends of the state and nation but our increases and decreases are simply not as dramatic. But what are the numbers not telling us?

“...Wellness involves a lot more than getting your medications and immunizations. Wellness is rooted in the idea of community involvement. Wellness is being healthy enough to go to school; wellness is not being hungry at school; wellness is having a safe shelter. Wellness is bigger picture.” Alan Keister, MD, Heal the City

Heal the City provides free urgent medical care and referral services for those in need. The Amarillo medical mission opened its doors in September 2014.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Dan Quandt, Vice President of the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Council for the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.

So, say you have a product that has steadily increasing sales, now totaling over $870 million annually. This product is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, yet has easily defined specific niches that can really heighten the public’s desire to consume. In business, we call this a success story. In Texas, we call this Amarillo.

“At the end of the day, we are just cooking food; we are doing what we love to do. We just want to interact with our customers for a little bit, feed them, and, hopefully, because of us, they will go on to have a great day.” — Scott Buchanan, Yellow City Street Food

Yellow City Street Food has become an Amarillo staple, not just for hungry residents, but also for passerby in the mood for hot, fresh, original fare. YCSF, which opened in 2013, offers patrons food-truck-like style menu. Essentially, gourmet eats on the go. To better meet their customer's’ demands and , co-owners Scott and Rin Buchanan will leave behind its window-order eatery located on the corner of Southwest 10th Avenue and Madison Street and move to a dine-in restaurant with table service and craft beer, due to open this summer.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by David Terry, Executive Director of the WT Enterprise Center.

In 1995, as a senior business student at WT, I heard Don Taylor speak at an event on campus. Don had written his best-selling book, Up Against the Walmarts, which immediately thrust him into the category of sought after professional speaker and small business guru.

That day, Don Taylor inspired me. He challenged me to think entrepreneurially and to acquire entrepreneurial skills. Don ignited a spark that kindled a burning passion within me. In the years to come, through his vision and leadership, we would create something that continues to inspire innovation still today – the WT Enterprise Center.

Running a city is akin to operating a large corporation; each resident has a vested interest in the success of the community, and the most effective way to protect the interests of hundreds of thousands of people is to ensure that the economy remains healthy and strong. That is accomplished by establishing a strong and diversified economic environment that businesses can thrive within.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Gina Woodward, Regional Director at West Texas A&M Small Business Development Center.

Will you write a blog for us? Sure, no problem! Starts writing, scratch that topic. Repeat, repeat, repeat. That’s when it hit me…. maybe the most important thing isn’t HOW to do business, but WHY so many choose to do business in the Texas Panhandle.

There's change in the air, and the energy coming from Texas isn't just coming from the Texas Tea that made the state famous. These days, more and more companies are turning their attention to the sky and power of the wind that is blowing across the Texas Panhandle. 

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Aaron Sage, CEO of Sage Oil Vac and co-owner of Femco Drain Solutions.

As an entrepreneur and business owner, my fingers quiver even at the thought of typing out the word, f-a-i-l-u-r-e. The word failure conjures thoughts of final, fatal, tragic. The end of a brave fight of a failed business. However, I must remind myself, failure is not always catastrophic. Small failures from calculated risks show you the right way. To get past the negativity of the word failure, the word setback will be used from here on out.

The economic health of a community's businesses impacts the economic health of everyone in the community. A healthy business creates employment, career opportunities and tax revenue that benefits the community-at-large. When businesses are healthy, a community grows and prospers. When they are not, the entire community's economic health wanes and withers.

Ask any small business owner what one of their primary hurdles was in the early days of their business and they will likely respond that securing funding for major assets was perhaps one of the most intimidating tasks. Entrepreneurs typically have the idea, they have the passion, but they often don’t know where to look for access to affordable methods of financing to propel their product or service off the ground.

“What we are trying to do is bring people Downtown to let them fall in love with Downtown; then they can decide a new purpose for many of our buildings.”  — Beth Duke, Center City

A Conversation with Beth Duke 

Beth Duke is the executive director of Center City, a nonprofit organization working to restore Amarillo’s historic downtown as part of the Texas Main Street and National Main Street movement.

The Texas Panhandle is more than just grasslands, oil fields and cattle ranches. The region is thriving with business activity and opportunities. Agriculture, petroleum, renewable energy, finance, healthcare, manufacturing and education have all found fertile soil to build their industries upon within the northern part of the state.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by George Herring, Manager of Facilities and Site Support of the Amarillo Military Assembly and Delivery Center at Bell Helicopter.

“False motivation is still motivation!!”  — my drill sergeant at Fort Knox

My drill sergeants were great motivational speakers. I couldn’t understand a lot of what they were saying because they were yelling it at me while I was doing push-ups, but I do remember being motivated. One philosophical gem I remember regarded motivation itself: False motivation is still motivation!  

Claire Gillman is a sophomore studying Economics and Social Entrepreneurship at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. She has returned to her hometown of Amarillo to intern at the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation this summer.

The high school I attended required every senior to take economics. However, my senior year, our economics teacher decided our class should review and complete a popular financial literacy curriculum, as it would be far more practical and beneficial during our transition into the “real world.”

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Sanjay K. Srivastava, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Sciences & University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy, whose main campus is in Amarillo, is home to several high-caliber and internationally recognized scientists who are working toward understanding the physiology of various diseases, such as cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disorders, epilepsy and hypertension. These same researchers are also investigating the mechanisms of novel agents/drugs to find a cure for these diseases.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation receives a bevy of questions about our mission, responsibilities and processes on a regular basis. We realize that what we do can come across as a bit complicated, so we would like to share with you the most frequently asked questions we receive.

You’ve heard the old saying, “two minds are better than one.” Throughout history, that adage has mostly held true, especially when it comes to some of our world’s most notable partnerships.

Our Texas Panhandle city boasts a healthy and vibrant economy, making it quite talked about among smaller cities in the nation. Our city is an excellent choice to begin a successful, lasting career. Here's a look at Amarillo's top employers.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Dan Adams, President and CEO of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.

There are many characteristics that define a great community – strong leadership, a well-educated workforce and forward-thinking planners among them. But, part of a community’s greatness, too, is how it responds to society’s downtrodden.

For an economic developer, few things are more exciting than seeing the dirt turn on a new project. Sure, the announcement of the company relocating or expanding in the community is great news and is worthy of a celebration. But there’s something about when the first shovel hits the dirt, when the foundation is poured or even when the walls start to go up. That’s when the real progress is seen.

The CenterPort Business Park here in Amarillo is the ultimate representation of the growth and success the community has witnessed over the past few decades.

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket." It's a mantra mothers everywhere have been telling their children for generations. It is good advice that bears relevance not only on the farm, but in the community at large as well. Diversification of an economy means that if one business falls and breaks, the effect on the overall economy within the region will be minimized.

Expanding the economic activity within a community is one of the primary goals of every elected body, community Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corp., and business professional.

The Amarillo community is brimming with generous volunteers, influential leaders and successful businesspeople. The people of Amarillo are what make our city unlike any other. With the AEDC guest blog posts, we hope to educate readers on our community as well as share valuable messages from Amarillo's key thinkers. This is a guest post by Representative Four Price.

Early last year, I remember receiving a telephone call from former AISD Superintendent Rod Schroder who was excited to let me in on a secret: One of Amarillo’s own, Shanna Peeples (an AP English teacher at Palo Duro High School), would be named the 2015 National Teacher of the Year.

Texas is one of the best states in the nation for business, and Amarillo is one of the Lone Star State’s most thriving cities. With a skilled labor force, reasonable regulations, and low tax rates, it’s never been more appealing for business owners to hang their shingles high above Amarillo's skyline. With a low unemployment rate, and job growth expected to exceed 36% in the next decade, now is the time to look to Texas as you prepare to build your business.

Have you met Amarillo? You probably think you’re well-acquainted with the Wild West town famous for its roaring winds, out-of-this-world steaks and romantic cowboys gallantly galloping across their ranches.

But to those of us who live and work here, we know that Amarillo is much more than a stranger’s stereotypical perception of our West Texas city.

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation is excited to introduce our blog! The goal of the AEDC is to recruit, develop and retain strong businesses resulting in new job opportunities, economic growth and the overall improvement of the quality of life in Amarillo.