Perched in the vibrant Texas panhandle, Amarillo beckons businesses from many industries, each drawn by the promise of economic diversity. Amarillo’s allure is not limited to Amarillo’s mainstay industry of agriculture. It is a thriving hub of diverse industries, from cutting-edge manufacturing to groundbreaking bioscience and research. The city’s economic potential and industrial development attract companies that are quick to recognize the opportunities Amarillo has to offer.
Agriculture & Food Processing
With its rich history, Amarillo has been established as the place that can feed our nation with ample land for agricultural purposes—primarily producing corn, wheat, and cotton, along with sorghum, silage, hay, and soybeans. This rich history is a testament to the city’s resilience and adaptability. Amarillo has strived to make its way into the food manufacturing space with the presence of companies such as Tyson, Affiliated Food INC., Ben R. Keith CO., and many others. Generations of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural scientists collaborate to work towards feeding people not only domestically but globally.
Advanced Manufacturing
Numerous advanced products are built in Amarillo, whether used to ensure clean rooms remain sterile, transport drinking water to livestock, or support the high demand for renewable energy. The advanced manufacturing industry supports the Amarillo economy by exporting to domestic and international markets and creating jobs for those who obtain highly specialized talents. Owens Corning supports 650 Amarilloan employees full-time with the incentive to build a sustainable future through their innovative roofing products.
Aviation & Aerospace
Home to one of the 10th largest runways in the US, Amarillo is a prime location for companies driven to develop the latest advances in aviation. Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport provides flights to popular getaway destinations and private aircraft activities such as flight training, corporate aircraft, and leisure aircraft. Another one of those companies, Bell Textron INC., the leader in vertical flight, heightens Amarillo’s role as the hub for aviation innovation.
Logistics & Distribution
Amarillo’s strategic location, as the largest city between Dallas and Denver, Albuquerque and Oklahoma City, is vital. It supports distribution and logistics operations, which are the backbone of these industries. CHEP makes this possible by being trusted by recognizable brands and companies through its efficient, safe, and sustainable model. With International Paper, 116 Amarilloans are employed full-time to transform renewable resources into products such as pulp for diapers, tissue, and other personal care products.
Energy
The Texas Panhandle not only tops the charts for annual average Class 4 wind speeds, allowing wind energy generation but we are also located in the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ). Being a part of the CREZ identifies our area as a resource-rich, high-wind. This unique advantage, coupled with our unwavering commitment to renewable energy, allows companies like GRI Renewable Industries to expand to Amarillo to manufacture wind towers by employing 295 Amarilloan employees full-time as of February 2022. Amarillo is also home to one of GE Vernova’s locations, a testament to our secure and promising energy future.
Healthcare, Bioscience & Research
Amarillo has gained a reputation as a healthcare leader due to its growing network of hospitals, universities, and medical programs. The Texas Tech University Amarillo campus is the only campus in the United States home to a School of Medicine, a School of Pharmacy, and a School of Veterinary Medicine. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) offers a variety of programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and physical therapy. Commitment to public health intertwines with agricultural research and veterinary medicine. Amarillo’s commitment is shown through the new addition to the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) campus, where leading researchers are driven to address the critical shortage of rural veterinarians.
Up the road from TTUHSC are Amarillo’s two leading hospital systems, BSA Health System and Northwest Texas Healthcare System. These two hospital systems employ more than 5,000 full-time employees combined. Both facilities offer quality care and are critical public health leaders in Amarillo. Northwest Texas Healthcare System is known for its Heart Hospital and Children’s Hospital, and BSA houses a leading oncology research center with its Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation.
Amarillo Has a Place for Your Business to Thrive
Every year, many companies recognize Amarillo’s exceptional talent pool and economic diversity due to the variety of critical industries. Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) offers a range of resources to empower your business in Amarillo’s diverse economy, for example of how Amarillo embraced technology. From Amarillo’s long history of agricultural opportunities to renewable energy development, there’s plenty of room for your business to become a part of this city’s industrial development. Contact AEDC today to discover multiple resources for your business to thrive in Amarillo.
