An exceptional talent pool and renewable energy infrastructure continue to draw companies to Amarillo, TX.
As the commercial center of the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo anchors a regional trade area of more than 500,000 residents and serves as the largest metropolitan hub within 300 miles. The region’s economic engine is powered by a diverse mix of advanced manufacturing, food processing, logistics, aviation, and renewable energy. For companies evaluating Amarillo economic development, the area delivers a rare combination of affordability, geographic reach, workforce stability, and industry depth.
The Amarillo MSA benefits from direct access to Interstate 40, one of the nation’s most important east–west freight corridors, and Interstate 27, enabling rapid connections to Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City — all within a day’s drive. With Class I rail service from both BNSF and Union Pacific, a growing air-cargo presence at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, and low-cost, reliable power supported by Texas’ wind and natural-gas leadership, Amarillo offers efficient operating conditions for companies of all sizes.
A robust agricultural ecosystem fuels major food manufacturers, supported by more than 14 million acres of agricultural land across the region. From beef processing and dairy to grain, corn, wheat, and cotton, Amarillo’s agribusiness foundation drives export-oriented production, making food manufacturing the area’s largest export category.
Amarillo is also an integral part of regional growth across the Panhandle and Northwest Texas. Companies exploring broader site searches can review additional business opportunities in West Texas that complement Amarillo’s strengths.
This video from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation showcases the best reasons to do business in Amarillo, including affordable land, low taxes, favorable utility costs and more.
Amarillo’s strong economy is supported by companies across a range of diverse business sectors.
Major business clusters in the Amarillo area include energy, food processing, health services, manufacturing and retail. Major employers include Bell Helicopter, Cargill, Gestamp Renewable Industries, MWI-Micro Beef, Owens Corning, Pantex and Tyson Foods.
Regional schools produce talent for the local rural area and nearby metropolitan communities.
Amarillo’s higher education institutions include Amarillo College and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo. Amarillo College is a public community college that enrolls over 10,000 students across seven campuses. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo offers programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and physical therapy.
Amarillo provides access to major roadways throughout West Texas for residents as well as company distribution operations.
The I-27 and I-40 highways provide transportation by car in the Amarillo area, while Amarillo International Airport offers efficient domestic and international air travel. Major Class I railroad carrier services offer reliable transportation by rail. Amarillo is also home to a Foreign Trade Zone.
Amarillo’s central geographic position places it at the crossroads of major national distribution channels. As the largest city between Dallas and Denver and between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City, the region provides seamless market access for manufacturers, food processors, and logistics operators.
Amarillo offers some of the most cost-effective industrial real estate and workforce housing in Texas. Available shovel-ready industrial land and business parks support manufacturing, distribution, and aviation operations with space to scale efficiently.
The Texas Panhandle is home to some of the strongest wind generation resources in the country. Amarillo benefits directly from the state’s CREZ transmission network, built to move 18,500 megawatts of wind power across 3,500 miles of high-capacity lines. This ensures competitive, dependable energy supply for heavy industry, food processing, and digital or electrification technologies.
The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) partners closely with companies to design performance-based incentives that reduce project risk and accelerate job creation. These local offerings complement statewide business benefits in Texas, including tax advantages and regulatory predictability.
The Panhandle is one of the most productive agricultural zones in the U.S., with 14 million acres of farmland and a supply chain extending from livestock and dairy to grain, cotton, and corn. Major processing facilities produce beef, dairy products, baked goods, beverages, and consumer foods. Food manufacturing is the region’s #1 export industry, supported by cold-chain logistics, low utility costs, and proximity to large domestic markets.
Amarillo’s manufacturing economy spans industrial machinery, equipment fabrication, plastics, rail components, building products, and specialty metalwork. Companies benefit from a skilled labor pool, multimodal transportation, and reliable, low-cost power. These advantages, combined with statewide Texas business opportunities, support light-to-heavy industrial expansions.
Amarillo is home to aviation maintenance, aerospace components, and defense-adjacent operations. Assets include aviation service centers, MRO providers, and specialized training programs supported by regional workforce partners. The airport’s air-cargo capabilities and adjacent Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ 252) further enhance its competitiveness for aerospace companies.
The Panhandle’s Class 4 wind speeds and existing wind-generation fleet make Amarillo a national leader in renewable energy access. Competitive power prices and strong grid connectivity create advantages for clean energy manufacturing, hydrogen innovation, and electrification-driven industries.
With its central location, access to interstates, Class I rail service, and ample land availability, Amarillo is a natural distribution hub. Companies can ship efficiently to the Midwest, Southwest, and Southern U.S., and many distribution centers utilize Amarillo as their primary service point for Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
(Representative examples based on AEDC industry listings)
These enterprises illustrate the strength and diversity of the area’s employer base and its ability to support both large and mid-size corporate operations.
The AEDC administers some of the region’s most competitive performance-based tools to help new and expanding companies reduce costs and accelerate project timelines.
Companies may qualify for incentives when they meet thresholds such as:
Higher incentives are available for larger investments and job totals.
Depending on capital investment and job creation, companies may receive partial abatements for 4 to 10 years, with tiers such as:
Located at the airport, FTZ 252 offers duty deferral, tariff reductions, and efficient customs processing, making it an ideal location for manufacturing and international logistics. These local tools complement broader statewide programs that reinforce long-term Texas economic strength.
Amarillo’s access to world-class renewable resources and CREZ transmission lines positions it as a strong candidate for data infrastructure, electrification technologies, and clean-energy manufacturing.
With abundant agricultural inputs and competitive operating costs, Amarillo continues to attract expansions in protein processing, baked goods, beverages, dairy, and specialty food categories.
Fabricators, equipment manufacturers, and industrial suppliers continue to expand in Amarillo due to its cost advantages, workforce availability, and logistics access.
Amarillo offers an affordable, family-friendly environment with strong schools, cultural amenities, and outdoor experiences, including access to Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the United States. A growing arts community, museums, sports venues, and year-round events support workforce retention and quality of life.
Amarillo offers companies the industrial scale, infrastructure capacity, and workforce strength necessary to compete in today’s global marketplace. Its central geographic position, access to renewable energy, cost advantages, and diversified industry base make it one of the top emerging markets in Texas.
Whether your organization is expanding its manufacturing operations, establishing a logistics hub, or developing a future-focused energy or technology project, Amarillo offers the stability and potential to grow with confidence.
Amarillo offers the industrial scale, infrastructure capacity, and workforce strengths that support long-term business growth across manufacturing, logistics, energy, and technology-driven industries. Its central location, access to reliable and increasingly diverse energy resources, and competitive operating costs continue to attract companies looking to expand or establish new operations in Texas.
The Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) promotes communities like Amarillo as part of Texas’ statewide economic opportunity and helps connect interested companies with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism (EDT)—the state team responsible for site selection support, incentives guidance, and confidential project evaluation. TxEDC helps facilitate introductions and ensures businesses are connected to the appropriate state, regional, and local partners as they evaluate next steps. To start the conversation, contact us and learn more about expanding your business in Texas.
