The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) held its first meeting under new leadership this week, with Alex Fairly stepping in as chair and Dipak Patel as the sole returning board member. Fairly, who initially hesitated to join the board, accepted the role following dissatisfaction with the previous board’s departure.
"I was disappointed in the way the previous board handled their exit," Fairly said. "It became clear that change was needed."
The meeting marked a fresh start for the AEDC, with Fairly focusing on addressing concerns about transparency, accountability, and the use of public funds. He highlighted initial steps to improve transparency, such as providing more detailed project notices, including names, funding amounts, and timelines.
"There’s been chatter about where notices are placed on the website, but those complaints feel like distractions," he said. "Our focus is on meaningful changes that matter."
Amid skepticism about his intentions, Fairly emphasized his commitment to responsible governance. "This is taxpayer money we’re dealing with, and it should be handled with the utmost respect. There’s a culture here that needs to be reset," he said, pointing to a historical perception of favoritism in project approvals.
