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.

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.