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.

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.

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.

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.