The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) held its sixth annual economic affairs event Tuesday, highlighting the past year's accomplishments in bringing business to the area.
AEDC's annual report brought together more than 400 people, including business leaders from across the region, and highlighted three major business additions to Amarillo. AEDC also approved a $500 million project in partnership with Lubbock to install one of two plant farming systems facilities and create more than 700 new jobs.
AEDC President and CEO Kevin Carter spoke about the importance of getting the word out about the positive impact new business and workforce initiatives will have on the city.
“This is our way of giving back and keeping the public informed,” he said. “One of the projects I’m particularly proud of is being able to work with Lubbock on a regional collaboration to bring plant farming systems to both of our cities. It has also been great to see the companies that have been here expanding their operations, and we will be announcing other businesses in the coming months.”
Carter said Amarillo has had great success in promoting Amarillo to business compared to other cities of similar size in the state.
“I think what's made us successful over the last five or six years is that we've been proactive,” he said. “I think we've traveled about 62 times in the last two years. We have five team members and we travel regularly to get the city's name out there. We've been far more successful than other cities. The good thing about that is that we can communicate what Amarillo has to offer our employees, the quality of life, and the work we've done to make the city better.”
Carter said AEDC's success in attracting business, which has received attention through awards and national magazine articles, highlights Amarillo's business-friendly nature and will generate more interest from other companies. He said he was deaf.
“With new programs we've started like REROOT, we're going to have people all over the state reaching out to us and wanting to emulate us. But they won't be able to copy the greatness of Amarillo. ,” Carter added. We had a great turnout today, with over 400 people taking time out of their day to listen to what we were doing. ”
The keynote speaker was Aaron Demerson, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, who praised the state's great success in attracting business and recognized the state as one of the top 10 economies in the world. I talked about what happened.
“My role today was to talk about the great state of Texas, the opportunities we have here in our state, and how we can work together with AEDC,” Demerson said. “We sell in Texas, but the rubber is adapted to roads at the local level. The facts speak for themselves, with Amarillo receiving numerous accolades for its ability to grow and develop economically, and the state It compares very well to other cities within the country.”
Demerson said events like this bring together education, workforce, educational development and city officials to create a better Texas from a business development perspective.
“Collaboration is the key to bringing business to any sector. We have to work together at the local level,” Demerson said. “Of course, you need assets like available land, infrastructure and a skilled workforce. When companies are looking at Texas cities and Amarillo, we want to bring those types of leads to the community. Our role is to market our state nationally and internationally. Our state is growing rapidly and businesses want to be here. We aim to be a business-friendly state. ”
Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley said he is grateful to lead a city that has been able to attract businesses that employ residents in traditional ways.
“We're still working to get to the next wave of growth. There are some housing issues that we as a city are trying to solve by lowering construction costs,” Stanley said. “As a city with tools like the AmTech Career Academy, we believe we are creating a well-trained workforce.”
He also praised AEDC's efforts in bringing business to the city.
“AEDC levels the playing field and if we want to compete with other cities, this gives us another tool in our toolbox to bring business to this city.” ,” he said.
Mr. Carter concluded with a message to the city about what AEDC seeks to accomplish for the community.
“This is a great opportunity to be a cheerleader and give back to our community and thank them for selling such great products,” Carter said. “Our economy is in great shape with wages going up as well. I think Amarillo is doing much better than other communities.”
