During a pivotal meeting on Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council decided to maintain the temporary board of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), prioritizing continuity over immediate changes. The decision followed a discussion regarding the expiring terms of board members Alex Fairly and Howard Smith, as well as the presence of two city council members, Josh Craft and Don Tipps, on the board.
Council members Les Simpson and Tom Scherlen emphasized the importance of allowing the current board to complete ongoing projects before implementing transitions. This means that Fairly, Smith, Dipakkumar Patel, Craft, and Tipps will continue serving on the AEDC board for the foreseeable future.
Former AEDC Chairman Seeks to Present Counterarguments
In addition to the board debate, the council received a letter from former AEDC chairman C. Lloyd Brown, requesting an opportunity to respond to Fairly’s critical assessment of the organization. Brown, along with several former AEDC board members and mayors, expressed concern that Fairly’s February 18 presentation painted an incomplete picture of the AEDC’s past operations.
“While we respect Mr. Fairly’s right to share his perspective on the AEDC’s performance, we believe it is critical to provide a balanced and accurate representation of the organization’s history, achievements, and challenges,” Brown stated in his letter.
The group requested time during the April 8 council meeting to address three major areas of concern:
The AEDC’s job creation metrics and return on investment.
The strategic vision and goals established under previous leadership.
The role of board oversight and community engagement in decision-making.
Significant Support from Former Officials
Brown’s request was backed by a group of prominent former AEDC board members and mayors, including Scott Bentley, Richard Brown, Brian Heinrich, Paul Harpole, Ginger Nelson, and others. The letter underscores a growing divide between past AEDC leadership and the current interim board regarding the direction of the organization.
Mayor’s Response and Next Steps
Mayor Cole Stanley encouraged Brown and his colleagues to take their concerns directly to the AEDC chair. However, he also offered to meet with the group personally to discuss their perspective.
With the April 8 meeting looming, the AEDC’s future leadership structure remains uncertain. The council must decide whether to replace the temporary board or allow it to continue shaping economic policy in Amarillo.
Fairly’s Report Unveils AEDC Shortcomings
The ongoing debate over AEDC governance was fueled by a candid work session in which interim AEDC chairman Alex Fairly delivered a blunt assessment of the organization’s performance. Since assuming leadership of the AEDC board, Fairly has scrutinized the AEDC’s effectiveness and found troubling issues.
A Lack of Clear Strategy and Oversight
Fairly highlighted several critical concerns:
Lack of a Defined Vision – The AEDC lacks clear goals, making it difficult to measure success.
Overemphasis on Superficial Wins – Economic wins are often celebrated without assessing their long-term impact on the community.
Loose Oversight – The AEDC board has not exercised strong financial scrutiny, leading to inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Questionable Use of Public Money – Resources are not always allocated in a way that maximizes economic benefits for Amarillo.
Discrepancies in Job Creation Claims
One of Fairly’s most startling revelations concerned job creation figures. Former AEDC President and CEO Kevin Carter claimed that the organization had helped create 5,000 jobs over the past five years. However, Fairly’s independent review found that only 1,500 jobs had materialized over the past 15 years, exposing inconsistencies in how AEDC counted job projections.
Fairly also questioned the cost-effectiveness of AEDC’s incentive packages, pointing out that:
Amazon received $2.5 million in incentives for 900 jobs, equating to $2,777 per job.
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center received $6 million for 66 jobs, costing $90,000 per job.
Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine received $50 million for 120 jobs, costing a staggering $416,666 per job.
“These numbers raise serious questions about whether we’re investing wisely,” Fairly said. “When you make somebody an offer, and they don’t counter, you offered them too much.”
The RANGE Controversy and AEDC’s Public Funds
Fairly also addressed a contentious $750,000 transaction between the AEDC and a nonprofit organization called The RANGE. Former AEDC board member Craig Gualtiere flagged the transaction in August, prompting an investigation into AEDC’s financial practices.
Fairly questioned whether the money should be returned, revealing that discussions had taken place about converting the transaction into a loan. However, The RANGE’s president, Jason Herrick—who is now running for mayor—declined the offer.
“This issue isn’t going to go away until we resolve it,” Fairly stated. “The RANGE needs to give the money back.”
Mayor Stanley’s Call for Transparency and Reform
Mayor Stanley acknowledged the seriousness of Fairly’s findings, calling for increased transparency and strategic reforms.
“It was uncomfortable and a little brutal at times, but our taxpayers deserve honesty. We need to turn on all the lights and deal with the problems head-on," Stanley said of Fairly's presentation.
Fairly’s Recommendations for AEDC’s Future
To rebuild the AEDC into a more effective entity, Fairly proposed four key steps:
Establish a Clear Vision and Strategy – Define Amarillo’s economic strengths and develop a focused economic plan.
Prioritize Industries with Growth Potential – Concentrate efforts on sectors where Amarillo has a competitive advantage, such as logistics, distribution, and defense.
Strengthen Board Oversight – Ensure that board members are engaged and independent.
Eliminate Privileged Access – Reduce the influence of a select few in AEDC decision-making.
“If we’re going to move forward, we need a board that truly represents Amarillo’s interests,” Fairly emphasized.
A Defining Moment for Amarillo’s Economic Future
The AEDC debate has reached a turning point, with critical decisions looming on board appointments, leadership, and strategic direction.
Mayor Stanley remains optimistic about the organization’s potential. “If we work together, we can fix these problems and create a stronger future for Amarillo,” he said.
