AEDC land deals and incentive agreements approved by the City Council (2019-2026)

On June 11, 2019 the City Council voted 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell and Councilmembers Hays, Sauer and Smith) to authorize the AEDC to execute all documents for the purchase of land at South Georgia Street and Loop 335 for $3,517,405 plus closing costs and inspection-related expenses. Kevin Carter said the AEDC had approved it the previous day and that the property was rail-served and close to Loop 335 and I-40. ^[1]

KFDA reported that AEDC directors voted unanimously on June 10, 2019 to spend $3.5 million on about 190 acres of undeveloped land east of the City View housing district in Randall County, with BNSF rail access and Loop 335 frontage, and that an AEDC vice president described it as a 'plan b' for when the CenterPort Business Park in east Amarillo is fully developed. ^[2]

On February 22, 2021 the AEDC board voted unanimously to sell 2 acres within the South Georgia Business Park to Xcel Energy at $20,000 per acre, which the minutes say would allow Xcel to expand capacity and provide additional power to the park and area residents. ^[3]

KFDA reported that the sale still needed City Council approval and that the price was roughly what the AEDC had paid for the land. No record of the council's action on the Xcel sale was located. ^[4]

Ordinance No. 7913 designated about 55 acres in the vicinity of South Georgia Street and Loop 335 as Reinvestment Zone No. 13 for commercial and industrial tax abatement. The council passed it on first reading 5-0 on March 9, 2021, when Kevin Carter said the site would hold a cheese manufacturing and processing plant, and on second reading 5-0 on March 23, 2021 as a consent item. ^[6][5]

On March 23, 2021 the council voted 5-0 on a tax abatement agreement among the City, the AEDC, Cacique, LLC and Loop 335 South Georgia Street Ventures, LLC. The AEDC recommended a 100% abatement for 10 years on construction and equipment costs. ^[5]

The council then voted 5-0 on an AEDC location incentive agreement with Cacique, LLC under which the AEDC would provide $5,000,000 for the creation of up to 500 full-time jobs, paid over five years on a 10-year performance term, convey 55 acres in the South Georgia Business Park, and pay $2,500 per employee for relocation into the five-county metro area. Kevin Carter said the project fit within AEDC incentive guidelines. ^[5]

Projections presented to the council (not results): $88,000,000 in capital investment ($52,000,000 facility, $36,000,000 equipment), up to 500 employees with all phases (200 in phase 1), and up to $22,500,000 in new annual payroll ($9,000,000 in phase 1). ^[5][7]

Sources give different sizes for the planned Cacique building.

The AEDC's own project report lists a different total for the Cacique commitment than the job-creation figure in the council minutes.

On February 22, 2022 the council voted 5-0 to approve a location incentive agreement under which the AEDC would provide Caviness Beef Packers, Ltd. $1,000,000 for the creation of up to 100 full-time employees, paid over five years on a five-year performance term. ^[9][10]

The AEDC stated (projections) that the 100 jobs would be added over three years, that payroll would rise $4.5 million a year, and that capital expenditure would exceed $60 million. ^[10]

Sources differ on whether the new Caviness plant is in the South Georgia Business Park.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded the AEDC a $2.4 million American Rescue Plan grant for road, water and sewer infrastructure at the South Georgia Business Park, to be matched with $720,000 in local funds. The Commerce Department projected 205 jobs and $88 million in private investment (projections). ^[12]

On May 24, 2022 the council voted 5-0 to approve an AEDC location incentive agreement providing Producer Owned Beef, LLC $8,000,000 for full-time jobs, paid over five years on a five-year performance term, and conveyance of 610 acres valued at $3,109,200; 5-0 on a 10-year, 100% tax abatement on construction and equipment costs; and 5-0 on a City Chapter 380 economic development agreement for a 600,000 square-foot food processing facility. ^[13]

Sources give different acreage for the land offered to Producer Owned Beef.

KFDA reported (projections) that the AEDC board approved $5,000 per job for up to 1,600 jobs at the Producer Owned Beef plant, that the two projects together could bring about $2 billion in private construction investment, and that payments would be made only after jobs were created. ^[14]

The council voted 5-0 to approve an AEDC location incentive agreement providing CVMR (Texas) Inc. $20,000,000 for full-time jobs, paid over ten years on a ten-year performance term, and conveyance of 540 acres valued at $4,500,000, and 5-0 on a 10-year, 100% tax abatement. ^[13]

On August 2, 2022 the council voted 4-0 (Mayor Nelson absent) to approve an AEDC location incentive agreement with A-5 Realty, LLC and A-7 Austin, LLC (a hydraulic hose manufacturer), providing $300,000 for full-time jobs paid over five years as they are created and conveyance of 20.7 acres valued at $724,500, and 4-0 on a tax abatement of 60% for six years on construction and equipment costs. ^[15][16]

The Globe-News reported (projections) a $10 million, 100,000 square-foot plant on 20.7 acres at South Georgia Street and East Farmers Avenue, 20 new employees in phase one and 30 in total, and an economic impact of about $60 million over 20 years as estimated by the AEDC president. ^[16]

The AEDC's January 31, 2025 project report lists the A-7 Austin project with an original project amount of $650,000, no prior-year payments, $130,000 budgeted for the year and $520,000 in future commitments. The report does not break the $650,000 into components. ^[8]

On August 2, 2022 the council voted 4-0 to approve an AEDC location incentive agreement with Unmanned Systems, Inc. (Nevada), doing business as Albers Aerospace, providing $8 million for full-time jobs in two installments (half within 30 days of approval, half after one year) and conveyance of 30 acres valued at $1,800,000, and 4-0 on a 100% tax abatement for 10 years. ^[15][16]

Reported projections (not results): a $50 million facility, 400 jobs at an average salary of $100,000, and more than $1.5 billion in economic impact over 20 years; two hangars leased from the AEDC with partial lease forgiveness if goals are met. The Globe-News said Albers was still considering Amarillo at the time. ^[16][17]

The AEDC's January 31, 2025 project report lists 'Unmanned Systems, Inc dba Albers Aerospace' with an original project amount of $58,000,000, $8,000,000 paid in prior years, $20,000,000 budgeted for the year and $30,000,000 in future commitments. The report does not say what the amount beyond the $8 million job incentive covers. ^[8]

On March 14, 2023 the council voted 5-0 to approve an AEDC location incentive agreement with Plant-AS-DNPS-003-2 under which the AEDC would provide $3,750,000 for up to 750 jobs and convey 400 acres near Folsom Road and 24th Street valued at $4,800,000. ^[18][19]

Sources differ on the payout period approved for the Plant AS incentive.

ABC 7 reported (projections) that Plant Agricultural Systems planned 10 greenhouses and 750 jobs over five years at an AEDC-estimated average salary of $45,000. ^[19]

At the same meeting the council voted 5-0 on a tax abatement agreement with SW 003 Distribution Logistics, LLC: a 10-year stair-step abatement starting at 100% and decreasing 10% each year. ^[18]

Xcel Energy said it completed a $7.6 million project at the Farmers Substation, southeast of South Georgia Street and Farmers Avenue, adding a transformer and three feeder lines to serve growth at the AEDC's South Georgia Business Park. ^[11]

Xcel Energy news release: The Xcel release states that the AEDC attracted $200 million in capital investment and 350 new jobs at new facilities of the hydraulic hose maker, Cacique Cheese and Caviness Beef facilities. These are figures stated in a company release; no independent count was located. ^[11]

Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman presented the item. At the public hearing no one spoke for or on the item, and one resident spoke against it. Les Simpson moved and Don Tipps seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 8130. The motion passed 3-2: Cole Stanley, Don Tipps and Les Simpson voted aye, and Josh Craft and Tom Scherlen voted no.^[20]

The staff memo states that designating a reinvestment zone is required under Chapter 312 of the Tax Code before the council can offer a tax abatement. The 20-acre zone is at Augustus Drive and South Georgia Street, and 'the reason for creating this zone is to provide Council the option to offer an economic development incentive to a prospective manufacturing facility.' AEDC staff recommended the designation.^[21]

The minutes do not record reasons for the no votes by Councilmembers Craft and Scherlen on the first reading, or by Craft on the second reading and the Sage abatement, and no fetched source gives them.^[20][22]

On second reading, Don Tipps moved and Les Simpson seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 8130. It passed 4-1: Cole Stanley, Don Tipps, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson voted aye, and Josh Craft voted no. AEDC's Kevin Carter presented the item.^[22]

Under the location incentive agreement, approved 5-0 on a motion by Josh Craft seconded by Don Tipps, the AEDC provides $10,000 per job created, paid over five years, up to $600,000, and conveys 20 acres at Augustus Drive and Georgia Street to Sage in two phases. The memo values the land at $1,100,000 and lists $10 million in estimated improvements and equipment and 60 new employees projected. It notes that Sage then employed 75 people.^[22][23]

The tax abatement agreement among the City, the AEDC and Sage Oil Vac provides a 10% abatement in year one. The AEDC said it based that rate on the capital investment, job creation and the council's Comprehensive Guidelines and Criteria for Economic Development Incentives. The agreement passed 4-1 on a motion by Tom Scherlen, seconded by Les Simpson; Cole Stanley, Don Tipps, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson voted aye, and Josh Craft voted no.^[22][23]

Sage Mfg (company announcement): In an August 2026 company announcement, Sage Mfg, the new parent of Sage Oil Vac, said it 'has opened a new 20-acre headquarters and manufacturing campus in Amarillo' and put the investment at about $21 million. The announcement does not give the campus's address or mention the AEDC, so it does not by itself confirm that this is the Reinvestment Zone No. 24 site.^[24]

The memo describes Brushwood Acre Farms as a hydroponic farming operation that produces tomatoes, jalapeño peppers and other vegetables and primarily partners with Affiliated Foods. It projects 25 new employees, with $10,000 per job created paid over 10 years, up to $250,000. The AEDC board approved the agreement 5-0 on May 21, 2024.^[26]

Les Simpson moved and Don Tipps seconded to approve the agreement. It passed 4-1: Cole Stanley, Josh Craft, Don Tipps and Les Simpson voted aye, and Tom Scherlen voted no. The minutes record no reason for the no vote, and no fetched source gives one.^[25]

The AEDC's unaudited cumulative project status report through January 31, 2025 lists 21 company projects with original amounts totaling $175,180,706, prior-year payments of $45,187,250, a current-year budget of $33,424,000, year-to-date payments of $352,000 and future commitments of $96,569,456. ^[8]

In that report Producer Owned Beef ($8,000,000) and Plant AS ($3,750,000) show no prior payments and no current-year budget, with the full amounts under future commitments; CVMR's $20,000,000 shows no prior payments, $2,000,000 budgeted for the year and $18,000,000 in future commitments. The report does not state the status of those projects. ^[8]

Area Development reported that the AEDC agreed to convey 30 acres near Centerport Boulevard and Folsom Road, valued at $1.2 million, to Coast Packing Company and to provide up to $720,000 in job-creation funds over 10 years; that the City Council unanimously approved the incentive package; and that Ordinance 8026 designated the 30 acres as a reinvestment zone for abatement. ^[27]

Stated plans (projections): a $30 million investment, up to 60 jobs, and operations beginning in June 2026. The AEDC's January 2025 report lists Coast Packing with an original project amount of $1,720,000. No source located confirms whether operations began. ^[27][8]

On July 22, 2025 the council voted 5-0 on a tax abatement agreement among the City, the AEDC and International Aerospace Coatings, Inc. (dba Associated Painters, Inc.): eight years, 80% in year one and decreasing by 10% per year; and 5-0 on an AEDC location incentive agreement providing IAC $700,000 for the creation of 70 new jobs over five years, as they are created. ^[28]

The abatement notice in the council packet lists Reinvestment Zone No. 25 at 10801 Baker Street, with an estimated cost of improvements of no less than $12,000,000 for an aircraft hangar complex (an estimate). The consent agenda, approved 5-0, included Amendment No. 2 to IAC's airport lease setting a new 50-year term, with initial rent of $42,893.14 a month rising to $47,431.07 by July 2027. ^[29][28]

The AEDC board's September 17, 2026 agenda listed an executive session under Texas Government Code 551.072 on the 'potential purchase of real property located in the Southwest quadrant' and item 5, action on a purchase and sale agreement with Cooper Crouse-Hinds, LLC for 51.45 acres next to the South Georgia Business Park. The council memo states 'AEDC Board considered on September 17, 2026.' The board's vote is not recorded in any source located; its minutes were not yet published. ^[31][32]

In this agreement the AEDC is the buyer and Cooper Crouse-Hinds, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the seller. The memo states that 'The Amarillo EDC is interested in purchasing approximately 51.45 acres from Cooper Crouse-Hinds, LLC' and that the acreage 'would allow for extended capabilities and project opportunities in South Georgia Business Park.' ^[32]

The purchase price is $1,080,000, which the memo gives as $20,991 per acre. The buyer deposits $10,000 in earnest money, of which a $500 option fee is non-refundable; the property is a portion ('Front Lot') of 1901 S. Farmers Ave., to be fixed by survey before the inspection period ends. The memo's funding summary reads 'Not applicable.' ^[32]

Draft minutes of the September 22, 2026 meeting (item 7.8) record that Andreas Eckstein presented the item and that a motion by Councilmember Prescott, seconded by Councilmember Tipps, 'to take action on the purchase of Item No. 7.8' passed 5-0 (Stanley, Reid, Tipps, Prescott, Simpson). The minutes were on the October 13, 2026 agenda for approval. ^[33]

The draft agreement (marked 'TH Draft 9/11/2026', effective date blank) gives the AEDC a 90-day inspection period during which it may terminate, limits invasive testing to a Phase I and a limited Phase II investigation without the seller's consent, and sets closing no later than 15 days after the inspection period ends. The property is sold 'as is'. ^[32]

The deed is to restrict the land to industrial, warehouse or commercial uses that do not require residential cleanup standards (barring housing, schools, daycare, hospitals, places of worship, lodging and recreation) and to bar use of groundwater. The AEDC represents that it has received the seller's environmental reports, releases the seller from claims under environmental laws, and indemnifies the seller for hazardous materials on or emanating from the property; the release is to be included in the deed. ^[32]

Neither the AEDC board packet nor the council packet names a prospective user or project for the acreage, and neither states why the agreement includes the environmental release and use restrictions. No incentive agreement with Cooper Crouse-Hinds was located, and no news coverage of the September 2026 votes was located. ^[32][31]

As of October 14, 2026 no source located reports the agreement's effective date, the outcome of the inspection period, or a closing. ^[32]