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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.