News Center

Hilmar Cheese Company Progress Update

Construction continues to progress at a rapid pace and shows no signs of slowing down. Currently well over 300 contract employees are on site now working to keep the project on schedule. The basic building structure is nearing completion and major equipment installation has begun. In the past several weeks stainless steel pipe has been hung in the vestibule areas, the cheese belt was set in place, and the remaining silos were lifted into position. Hilmar remains on schedule to begin producing cheese this fall.

Enterprize Challenge Update

Enterprize Challenge finalists made their oral presentations to judges last week at the West Texas A&M Enterprise Network. Qualifying entrants request a share of $300,000 in capital funding grants with a maximum amount that can be awarded to any one business of $75,000 and the minimum award request is $1,000. The judges will have the discretion to award more or less than the amount requested. However, the grant request must be specific, itemized and justified by the business plan. Grant recipients will be announced the first of April.

Congratulation finalists!

• PR Systems
• Speed Painting, Inc.
• D & L Plastic Screening
• Midwest Fabrication
• Storm Track Shelters, Inc
• G&M Global Enterprises, Inc.
• Legacy Ag Group LLC

V-22 Fatigue Test Aircraft Surpasses 20,000 Effective Flight Hours

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey program's Airframe Fatigue Test Program surpassed the 20,000 Effective Flight Hour (EFH) milestone on Feb. 22, 2007. The Fatigue Test Program, involving a full size V-22 aircraft, began in June, 1998, and is the first ever conducted for a tiltrotor type aircraft.

The Fatigue Test Team members (Werner Idler, Dr. Chang Hong and Mark Southard of Bell and Doug Rhodes, Gary Bachman and Dave Parente of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems) comprised the front line of testing with dozens of other Bell and Boeing personnel to demonstrate the V-22 airframe durability.

Panhandle Twenty/20 Learning Community Meetings

Panhandle Twenty/20 Study Committee continues to meet on a regular basis and break down the issues of educational attainment here in the Panhandle and study the many components. The process has a place for everyone in the community. "We want to get the entire community involved," states Anette Carlisle, Amarillo ISD Trustee and Panhandle Twenty/20 Board Member.

Remaining Meeting Dates

• March 20th
  Impact of Immigration on EA
  Susan Nevad, Region XVI - Martin Lopez, WTAMU
  Location: Black Historical Cultural Center 901 N. Hayden
  
  
• March 27th
  Adult Education
  Leslie Boyd, Region XVI
  Location: Black Historical Cultural Center 901 N. Hayden
  
  
• April 3rd
  EA & Community Health - What are the Numbers?
  Matt Richardson
  Location: Visit the website at www.panhandle2020.org
  
  
• April 10th
  Concerned? You Should Be!
  Randall Sims, Potter Co. DA
  Location: Visit the website at www.panhandle2020.org

This past month, the Amarillo EDC traveled to Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2007 Heli-Expo Trade Show. The show allowed the Amarillo EDC staff to meet with potential aviation clients and show support for the current aviation businesses in the local community. The Heli-Expo is the largest trade show dedicated to the civil helicopter industry – more than 16,000 were in attendance. The Amarillo EDC exhibited the Rotor City, USA banner and connected face-to-face with several potential clients.

The Center City Development Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3PM in the Regency Room A - Amarillo Civic Center

On the agenda is a presentation and discussion of the draft Amarillo Downtown Development Plan by James Toal, Gideon Toal

All community members are invited to participate. For further information please call Beth Duke at Center City 372-6744 or email centercityamarillo@sbcglobal.net