The POLICOM Corporation study produced a target cluster list of industries for the Amarillo EDC to focus recruitment and retention efforts on. The process of identifying the target industries is a combination of elimination and inclusion of business types. If an industry will not pay an annual average wage based on goals the Amarillo EDC has set, it was eliminated from the target list. If an industry is geographically restricted, considered inherently consumptive or dependent, it too was eliminated. The final target list included industries who will likely be able to expand or relocate to Amarillo and pay an average wage that is equal to or greater than the average wage of basic or primary industry jobs in the Amarillo labor market for the current year. This initiative, with results, will improve the quality of the economy, the standard of living for all who live and work in the area and continue to foster growth for future business expansion.
Amarillo EDC 5 Target Industries
Aviation/Aerospace – Aircraft Manufacturing; Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing. Amarillo has a strong leader in the aviation industry, Bell Helicopter. Continued efforts to market to the suppliers of current Amarillo aviation companies make sense for this industry and current company base to flourish. Portfolio of Success: Bell Helicopter, TACAir, Composite Shapes, Tradewind Turbines, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Headsets Inc.
Business & Financial Services – Large Insurance Companies. The current base of business and financial service companies located in Amarillo is solid and growing. Portfolio of Success: AIG, Nationwide, SITEL, Blue Cross Blue Shield
Diversified Manufacturing - Primary Metal Industries, Fabricated Metal Products, Industrial Machinery, Electronics and Instruments. Companies under this category manufacture mid- value, mid-to-high bulk products which are under extreme pressure to reduce costs. Many of these businesses are still located in the industrial Midwest and Northeast where real estate, taxing, and wage pressures make operating expensive, especially in the face of foreign competition. Portfolio of Success: Sage Oil Vac, GTM, Backyard Adventures, Tech Spray, SciCron Technologies
Transportation & Logistics – Amarillo’s transportation assets are well-suited for this industry. Companies are currently looking for ways to reduce cost by locating within the central part of the United States. Portfolio of Success: Ben E Keith, Affiliated Foods, Hastings, Anderson Merchandisers, Americold Logistics
Food Technologies – Amarillo’s location & resources are well-suited for this industry. Portfolio of Success: Tyson, Plains Dairy, Hilmar Cheese Company
