How is Amarillo Using Regional Collaboration to Drive Innovation and Business Growth?
Through strategic partnerships among schools, employers, and government agencies across the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is building a stronger foundation for regional success. By aligning resources, talent, and infrastructure, the city is sparking innovation and accelerating growth in key industries such as energy, manufacturing, technology, and logistics.
What We Mean by Regional Collaboration
When we talk about regional collaboration, we’re not just talking about working with Amarillo-based organizations. We mean cross-sector and cross-community partnerships that connect Amarillo to surrounding towns, school districts, higher ed institutions, and business leaders across the Texas Panhandle.
From workforce development and infrastructure planning to research initiatives and supply chain coordination, this type of collaboration helps create a stronger, more connected economic region—one that can compete with major metros and support sustainable local growth.
Public-Private Partnerships Driving Industry Expansion
One of Amarillo’s most effective regional strategies has been fostering public-private partnerships that strengthen industries, talent, and infrastructure.
Key examples include:
- Bell (Textron Aviation) has maintained and expanded aerospace operations in Amarillo, supported by regional workforce partnerships that connect skilled labor from multiple Panhandle communities.
- AmTech Career Academy, developed by Amarillo ISD with support from AEDC and input from local employers, trains high school students in automation, robotics, energy, cybersecurity, and more. This initiative ensures career-ready graduates across the region.
- WTAMU and Amarillo College continue to align their program offerings, such as cybersecurity, data science, welding, and industrial technology, with labor needs voiced by Amarillo employers and regional economic developers.
These aren’t isolated efforts. They’re examples of how Amarillo’s growth is tied to shared investments and shared outcomes.
Inter-City Collaboration Across the Texas Panhandle
While most regional efforts are anchored in Amarillo, they also extend meaningfully to surrounding cities.
The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC), which includes over 26 member counties, facilitates regional economic development, emergency planning, and grant coordination. AEDC often collaborates with PRPC to support shared infrastructure and workforce goals.
In 2025, AEDC partnered with PRPC to invest $300,000 in job training across five area school districts, including those outside Amarillo proper, to support Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in machining, nursing, robotics, and welding.
In regional studies, communities surrounding Amarillo often rated their own local employment opportunities lower than those in Amarillo (Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Texas Panhandle Economic Development Strategy). Meanwhile, Amarillo residents consistently ranked job availability more favorably. This contrast suggests that surrounding towns may serve as commuter hubs, feeding directly into Amarillo’s labor market.
Because of this regional dynamic, job training and education in neighboring communities have a direct impact on Amarillo’s workforce readiness and overall economic development.
Innovation Across Key Sectors: Tech, Energy & Manufacturing
Amarillo is focused on aligning its innovation ecosystem around three fast-evolving industries:
Technology
With improved broadband access, expanding computer science programs, and EDC support for tech relocations, Amarillo’s tech job market is gaining traction. Programs at WT and AmTech are producing graduates with credentials in cybersecurity and digital systems, which are essential for startups and logistics companies alike.
Energy
Amarillo’s historic role in energy now includes growing investment in wind, solar, hydrogen, and energy storage. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas leads the U.S. in wind generation, and the Panhandle is home to several major utility-scale wind projects. Regional collaboration helps coordinate land use, infrastructure, and workforce readiness for these projects.
Manufacturing
From food processing to aerospace, manufacturing in Amarillo benefits from automation and advanced machinery, much of it operated by graduates from Amarillo College and regional trade programs. AEDC incentives have helped expand manufacturing capacity while reducing barriers to tech adoption.
Community-Driven Growth, Region-Wide Benefits
Beyond new companies coming to Amarillo, economic development is about improving the lives of local residents.
By coordinating with school systems, nonprofit organizations, and chambers of commerce across the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo’s innovation strategy ensures that more residents, no matter where they live, can access education, good jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
That’s why regional collaboration is a long-term commitment to shared prosperity.
Ready to Expand or Partner in the Panhandle?
At the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, we believe economic growth is a team effort, and regional collaboration is one of our strongest assets. Whether you’re a site selector, entrepreneur, or workforce partner, we’re here to help connect you to the people and resources that make Amarillo a smart place to invest.
Contact Amarillo EDC today to learn how you can be part of the innovation happening across the region.
