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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.