The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) convened on Monday, introducing a new era of leadership with the debut of four newly appointed temporary board members following the resignation of their predecessors. The meeting, held at AEDC offices, was marked by significant decisions aimed at bolstering transparency, accountability, and economic growth.
New Leadership Takes the Helm
Councilmembers Josh Craft (Place 1) and Don Tipps (Place 2), former council member Howard Smith, and local businessman Alex Fairly joined returning board member Dipak Patel to complete the five-member board. The Amarillo City Council had finalized these appointments in response to recent board vacancies.
In its first order of business, the board elected new officers: Alex Fairly was unanimously chosen as chair, Dipak Patel was appointed vice chair/secretary, and Laura Storrs, Amarillo’s assistant city manager and CFO, was reappointed as treasurer.
“These roles are necessary to meet legal requirements, but they can be adjusted at any time,” said AEDC President and CEO Kevin Carter. He underscored the importance of having a fully functional board to advance the organization’s mission of driving economic growth in Amarillo.
Commitment to Transparency
The meeting spotlighted a renewed focus on transparency amid heightened public scrutiny of the AEDC. Fairly and Carter addressed concerns over the absence of the meeting agenda on the AEDC website, attributing it to technical updates and holiday closures of the hosting provider. While the agenda was accessible through other channels, the incident underscored the need for improved public communication.
“We owe the public the highest standard of noticing,” Fairly remarked. “With everything that’s gone on in the last several months, we can’t afford even minor oversights.”
Board member Craft proposed aligning AEDC practices with those of the City Council by making meeting materials more publicly accessible, a suggestion that Carter pledged to explore with legal counsel.
Economic Initiatives and Approvals
Following an executive session, the board approved several critical measures to advance Amarillo’s economic landscape:
Incentive for AAA Cooper Transportation: The board approved a $900,000 incentive for up to 60 new jobs at a regional transportation hub in the East Tiers Gateway area.
Real Estate Sale to Pacific Cheese: A 3.61-acre parcel in CenterPort Business Park was sold to Pacific Cheese for $162,450, facilitating its expansion plans.
Quarterly Investment Reports: The board reviewed and approved financial updates, noting stable fiscal health despite a slight dip in sales tax revenues.
Carter also announced the promotion of Holly Shankle to vice president of project development, filling a key leadership vacancy.
Groundbreaking Projects Signal Economic Growth
The AEDC provided updates on significant projects that promise to enhance Amarillo’s economic standing:
CVMR Facility: Chemical Vapor Metal Refining (CVMR) will break ground on a $1.5 billion nickel refining facility later this month, marking a monumental step for the U.S. critical minerals industry. The project is expected to generate 1,000 high-paying jobs initially, with potential expansion to 2,500 positions.
Coast Packing Facility: A beef tallow production plant is set to begin construction in CenterPort Business Park in six weeks.
Amazon Operations: The city’s logistics capabilities expanded with the launch of an Amazon “last-mile” delivery facility.
“These projects highlight the diversity of Amarillo’s economic opportunities,” Carter said. “From advanced logistics to manufacturing, our city continues to attract industries that bring quality jobs and investment.”
Future Direction and Community Engagement
The AEDC’s new leadership emphasized the importance of community engagement and alignment with city priorities. Carter stressed the dual roles of Craft and Tipps, who also serve on the Amarillo City Council, highlighting the need for clear boundaries to maintain organizational integrity.
“Having city council members on the board strengthens our alignment but requires careful navigation to ensure independence in decision-making,” Carter explained.
Applications for permanent AEDC board positions are open through December 4, with the next board meeting scheduled for January 21, 2025.
A Vision for Growth
As the AEDC transitions under new leadership, its focus remains on fostering economic opportunities and building public trust.
“Our goal is to ensure every dollar we invest benefits Amarillo residents,” Carter concluded. “This is about creating a future that connects our community to the global economy in meaningful and transformative ways.”
