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THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS
Cooperative Competitors What’ss Onlinee Learn more about renewable energy in a tour of the Wind Power Center
Region unites to recruit industry
Winning With Wind Energy sector draws new investment, jobs
Remaking The Grid Investment in energy transmission is the key to clean energy revolution SPONSORED BY THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS | 2009-10
BUSINESS 速
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Workstyle Cooperative Competitors
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Regional effort creates economic prosperity in The High Ground.
On Solid Ground
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Manufacturing, commercial services see growth in The High Ground.
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Meat Matters in the High Ground
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As area beef and swine industries grow, so grows the economy.
Cash Crops
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Cotton, corn and soybeans help grow the economy
The Milky Way
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Dairy industry takes stock, plans for growth.
Winning With Wind
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New Amarillo wind power facility renews energy and the economy. Table of Contents continued on page 7
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ON THE COVER Investment in energy infrastructure is reshaping The High Ground of Texas PHOTO BY BRIAN McCORD
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AT THE CENTER OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE FIND YOUR FUTURE BUSINESS LOCATION.
Pampa, future wind capital of the world
Texas Sized Business Opportunities: Wind, gas and coal power Diversified agriculture Dairies/feed lots Swine genetics Oil, gas and chemical production Support manufacturing Quality of life Rail and interstate access Clean air and water Great recreation Creative incentives
Give us a call or send us an e-mail!
Pampa Economic Development Corporation näÈ®ÊÈÈx änääÊUÊ«> «>i`VJÃLV} L> ° iÌ
Insight
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Business Almanac
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Business Climate
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Energy/Technology: Remaking the Grid
58
Transportation
66
Economic Profile
87
52 Livability
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Photo Essay
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It’s Only Natural
52
Education
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Health
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“We maintain our corporate offices
Littlefield ‌ where BIG things happen. Education
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THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS
Cooperative Competitors Region unites to recruit industry
What’ss Onlinee Learn more about renewable energy in a tour of the Wind Power Center
Winning With Wind Energy sector draws new investment, jobs
Lifestyle A showcase of what drives The High Ground’s high quality of life
Remaking The Grid Investment in energy transmission is the key to clean energy revolution SPONSORED BY THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS | 2009-10
Read Business Images The High Ground of Texas on your computer, zoom in on the articles and link to advertiser Web sites
NEWS AND NOTES >> Get the Inside Scoop on the latest developments in The High Ground from our editors and business insiders
Workstyle A spotlight on innovative companies that call The High Ground home
SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS >> Meet the people setting the pace for The High Ground business DIG DEEPER >> Log into the community with links to local Web sites and resources to give you the big picture of The High Ground DATA CENTRAL >> A by-the-numbers look at doing business and living in The High Ground
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BUSINESS ®
THE HIG H G RO U ND O F TEXAS
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT ... see it for yourself
2009-10 EDITION , VOLUME 4 MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, SUSAN CHAPPELL, JESSY YANCEY STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BRANDON LOWE, JOE MORRIS, KATHRYN ROYSTER DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER COLIN WRIGHT SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD
VIDEO >>
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JANINE MARYLAND GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JESSICA MANNER, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA MCFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP
What makes The High Ground of Texas such a favorable place to do business? What is it about the livability of The High Ground of Texas that makes people who move there to work decide to stay for the long term? Experience the vitality and charm of The High Ground of Texas from the comfort of your computer. Business Images The High Ground of Texas shows you The High Ground of Texas like you’ve never seen it before, thanks to the work of our award-winning photographers and writers. The High Ground of Texas is just a click away.
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Business Images The High Ground of Texas is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through The High Ground of Texas. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: The High Ground of Texas 401 N 3rd, Ste #4 • Stratford, TX 79084 Phone: (806) 366-7510 • Fax: (806) 366-7511 www.highground.org
VISIT BUSINESS IMAGES THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS ONLINE AT IMAGESHIGHGROUND.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Member
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HIGH GROUND
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THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS
Cooperative Competitors What’ss Onlinee Learn more about renewable energy in a tour of the Wind Power Center
Region unites to recruit industry
Winning With Wind Energy sector draws new investment, jobs
Remaking The Grid Investment in energy transmission is the key to clean energy revolution SPONSORED BY THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS | 2009-10
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the pink boots are optional!
www.dumasedc.org
Overview
High Ground Offers Exceptional Opportunities COMMUNITIES OF ALL SIZES ARE PURSUING ECONOMIC GROWTH
F
rom the Panhandle region in the north through the South Plains and on down to the Permian Basin, The High Ground of Texas offers exceptional business opportunities and an outstanding quality of life. In all, the three sections span more than 60 counties and contain a population of 1.2 million people, including a workforce of about 550,000. Promoting economic growth in this region, where elevations typically exceed 3,000 feet, is The High Ground of Texas, a 20-year-old nonprofit marketing organization. Its members include economic development corporations, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, cooperatives, educational institutions, industry associations, utilities and workforce organizations. Municipalities of all sizes are aggressive and actively involved in the pursuit of economic growth. Target industries include alternative energy, beef processing, biotechnology, dairy, distribution, food processing, manufacturing and value-added agricultural products.
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For more information, contact: The High Ground of Texas 401 N. 3rd St., Suite 4 P.O. Box 716 Stratford, TX 79084 Phone: (806) 366-7510 Fax: (806) 366-7511 E-mail: higround@xit.net www.highground.org
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Workforce Solutions Permian Basin is here to meet employer needs. UÊ ÕÃÌ âi`ÊÀiVÀÕ Ì i Ì UÊ « ÞiÀÉi « ÞiiÊÜ À à «Ã UÊ «ÕÌiÀ âi`Ê LÊÌÀ> } UÊ"ÕÌ« >Vi i ÌÊÃiÀÛ Vià UÊ/>à Ê> > Þà ÃÊEÊ LÊÀiÃÌÀÕVÌÕÀ } UÊ" Ì i LÊÌÀ> } UÊ Ý ÃÌ }ÊÜ À iÀÊÌÀ> }
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A PLAINS POLISHED GEM Wine tastings, gourmet dinners and live theater create a wonderful atmosphere in the refurbished historic Harvey House in Slaton. Designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 2007, the Harvey House is a two-story mission-style inn built in 1912 on the Santa Fe Railroad line that features four jewel-toned bedrooms and a dinner theater. In March 2009, the dinner theater brought to life the history of the Harvey Girls in an original play by the same name. The play transports the audience back to a time when the Slaton Harvey House bustled with activity as train passengers stopped for a delicious meal served by the efficient Harvey Girls. Loaded with historic charm, today’s guests might even spot the ghost of a Harvey Girl giving out cigars.
HO, HO, HOWDY! Wear your spurs in Spur and sport your shamrocks in Shamrock. These two High Ground towns offer unique festivals in December and March. Enjoy December’s Cowboy Christmas Ball in the Exhibition Barn in Spur. Spend a Saturday at the historic Palace Theatre visiting with Santa or experience a real western Christmas with live nativity, campfires and cowboy carols at the Spirit of the West Santa Land. Once spring begins to revive the clover, head on over to Shamrock for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival, an event that began in 1938.
IT’S A WORLD OF WONDER More than 50 years ago, Paul and Alethea Roads realized their dream of building an amusement park. Now, children from across the region can Shoot the Chute, take the Pipeline eline Plunge, go on a Fantastic Journey and experience the Texas as Tornado during a visit to Amarillo’s Wonderland Park. Wonderland is the third-largest amusement park in Texas. Open April through Labor Day, the park is operated by the Roads’ daughter, Paula, and her husband, P.D. Borchardt. One of their daughters, Rebecca, is now the comptroller. This family-owned business is a family-oriented destination. n. Bring a picnic and spend the day.
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Mon|AHA|hans Experience “AHA” in Monahans A Community on the Rise
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RETIRE TO THE GOOD LIFE The good life isn’t a dream; it’s a destination. And it can be found in The High Ground. Three High Ground communities have received the GO TEXAN stamp of approval as inaugural designees in the state’s Certified Retirement Community program. Canyon, Odessa and Tulia are three of a mere handful of Texas cities that formally meet the desirability qualities demanded by today’s retiree. Factors considered for certification include strong scores in livability, health care, entertainment, the arts, volunteer opportunities, recreation and proximity to metropolitan markets.
REIGNING RETAIL Who says you can’t have superior retail in a rural community? Certainly not the people of Perryton, or the folks with Radio Shack. That’s because in terms of volume, Perryton’s Radio Shack is the No. 1 Radio Shack in the nation – for seven years running. Why? According to owner Kerry Symons, it’s a combination of factors. “It’s a great town, and we have great people who work here,” he says. “Our store looks cool and I want to say we give good service.” In business for 13 years, the Perryton Radio Shack offers 10,000 square feet of prime showroom space right on downtown’s Main Street.
WE’RE NO. 1 High school football is big in The High Ground, and it doesn’t get much bigger than this: Stratford, Canadian and Muleshoe all made Texas football history in December 2008, when they became the first schools from one region to simultaneously win state championships in their respective divisions. For Stratford, it was the first time in 72 years that one team claimed three state titles in the same decade. Throughout the region, thousands of fans flock to high school stadiums on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons to see their favorite teams battle on the gridiron.
IMAGESHIGHGROUND.COM
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Did you know: Perryton, TX is closer to five other state capitals than it is to Austin?
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www.perrytoncdc.com
HUNTERS’ PARADISE The cackle of a long-tailed longrooster as it erupts from cover and claws for altitude is irresistible hunters. to pheasant hunters hunters are out in full force the Both birds and hunte doubling the size of first weekend of December, Dec many communities in the region on the opening pheasant season. weekend of pheasan Many communities cclaim they are the Pheasant Capital of Texas, but it’s clear that the real region. The climate, capital is The High Ground G terrain and farming ccycles make it a perfect hunters. place for pheasant h
REST YOUR WEARY HEADS The hotel industry continues to thrive in The High Ground region because of folks like Rob Meyer, a 17-year hospitality veteran. As owner and operator of the Arbor Inn and Suites in Lubbock, Meyer attributes The High Ground’s successful hotel industry to owners who “put their hearts and souls into running their establishments.” He says the economic success is due to wise and conservative investment and a steady economy supported by Texas Tech University and the agriculture sector. It all adds up to a good night’s sleep.
TEXAS’ KIND OF TOY What Texas child wouldn’t want his own cattle operation? That’s just the dream that comes true when Jerry Sims – better known as The Happy Toymaker – fills an order. Mini portable corrals, Quonset barns with swinging doors, branding irons, trailers and semitrucks are all built to scale, giving little ones hours of imaginative play. No detail is overlooked in offering kids an early peek at life as a cowboy. A computerized plasma torch in Sims’ Happy Shop personalizes each set to rope ’em in.
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Business Climate
Cooperative Competitors Regional effort creates economic prosperity in The High Ground regionalism
vibrant economy
low business costs
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HIGH GROUND
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tretching from the northern borders of the Texas panhandle south to the Permian basin, this region of Texas is fertile ground for industry. The workforce is highly educated and employees do their jobs with an old-school work ethic and hard-nosed discipline. The High Ground of Texas regional economic development coalition works to maximize this region’s strengths. High Ground members include economic development corporations, city and county governments, chambers of commerce, workforce groups, utilities, institutions of higher education and industry associations. These various members may compete with each other for projects, but in terms of building economic strength in the region, they work together to get the job done. “It’s not big against small, it’s not north against south. Everybody is in this together,” says Lorie Vincent, executive director of The High Ground of Texas. New industries recruited into The High Ground fuel growth in businesses. For example, along with the growing dairy industry came supporting industries such as nationally known Hilmar Cheese. “They produce about 13 percent of the cheddar and jack cheese in the US market,” says Buzz David, president and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corp. “With the new facility they’ve built in Dalhart, which just announced its first major expansion, they’re going to move that up to 20 percent of the U.S. market.” That type of success in The High
Greater Amarillo
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“Cooperation is a real key term in doing economic development and in trying to represent this part of the country to the rest of the world,” says Mike Hatley, vice president of economic development in Midland. “We’re still competitive,” says David Rushing of the Shamrock Economic Development Corp. “If a project comes down between me and a neighboring town, we do the best we can for our community. But, it’s still a regional effort.” Midland’s Hatley says, “We recognize that if one community benefits in The High Ground, eventually all communities are going to benefit in The High Ground.” Relationships and a regional attitude are top priorities. These commitments work in favor of the communities and the corporations
considering this region. “By utilizing The High Ground, a company, rather than having to deal with a multitude of cities and communities, deals with one organization that takes the guesswork out of the proposal process and helps them decrease their time and effort needed to evaluate a site,” says Tim Pierce, executive director of South Plains Association of Governments. For two decades, The High Ground of Texas has positively influenced economic growth in the region. The success is worth celebrating. “Twenty years of working together in a spirit of cooperation results in jobs,” says Commissioner Todd Staples of the Texas Department of Agriculture. “It results in capital investment and it lays a bright foundation for the future.”
S TA F F P H O T O
Ground isn’t uncommon. Nine years ago, Muleshoe had two dairies. Now, within a 14-mile radius, there are 14 dairies. Student populations are up and so is the interest in education, says Janet Claburn, director of economic development in Muleshoe. “Last year, our community passed a $25 million school bond,” Claburn says. “We have made additions and renovations to all four of our campuses.” Agriculture, aviation manufacturing, food processing, transportation, oil and gas, ethanol production, and wind energy thrive in The High Ground. “People are so curious as to how we’re able to make an organization that covers such a large geographic area work so well,” Vincent says. “The answer? Working together.”
Cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and other crops are still an important part of The High Ground economy. Right: Higher education institutions such as Texas Tech University grow the region’s economy by educating tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and workforce.
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HIGH GROUND
BRIAN McCORD
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Help Is Always on the Way for Business MULTIPLE REGIONAL EFFORTS GIVE ENTREPRENEURS A BOOST TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE
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oan programs, business incubators, workshops – even radio programs – support innovators and entrepreneurs in The High Ground. Most small businesses and startups need two things: good advice and a source of capital. The latter can be found from the West Texas Coalition for Innovation and Commercialization’s Texas Emerging Technology Fund. For example, the fund recently invested $1 million in Animal Innovations Inc., which will develop and market its technology at offices in the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center in Amarillo. Also standing ready with funding advice and myriad other services are the Entrepreneur Alliance – a consortium of 10 resource organizations in Amarillo, Borger, Dumas and Perryton – and the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation, which has brought together a coalition of economic development organizations to offer a start-to-finish approach to new-business development, the Plainview Entrepreneurial Guide Alliance, or PEGA. “Entrepreneurism is also an important part of our regional history and will continue to be paramount as we move forward as a region,” says Ashton Allison, executive director of the Entrepreneurial Alliance. “Seed money is the lifeblood of any new business, and in today’s world of tight credit and limited equity financing, there has never been a more important time for us as resource organizations to help our regional entrepreneurs explore and exploit every financial resource available. But it doesn’t stop there. To be successful in this new economy, entrepreneurs must think and act differently in all areas
of business, not just financing. We act as a front door to a complete package of entrepreneurial assistance.” That “groupthink” approach helped lead to the creation of PEGA, representatives of its member organizations say. “What makes this such a good network is that we have all the players in place,” says David Evans, the foundation’s executive director. “If they need help with retail space, we kick them over to the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. If they need help with training, they can go to the South Plains College workforce development center, and we can also connect them with our Main Street program. Someone will help all the way through.” “We created PEGA to be a clearinghouse to get all this information to the individuals who otherwise would have to hunt it down on their own,” says Paul Henderson, workforce development coordinator. The Plainview Chamber of Commerce also has joined with the West Texas Allied Communities, which also provides an array of services for the startup businessperson, adds Dee Blevins, executive director. “It’s entirely free for the entrepreneur, and we have a facilitator who can connect these people with what they need,” Blevins says. “With PEGA, and then with WesTex, we have a system here that works quite well. We’ve even tied in all that with the university and other programs.” The new businessperson also gets a shot at local celebrity. Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., radio station KKYN has a show devoted to showcasing new businesses or promoting entities and agencies that can help an entrepreneur get up and running. – Joe Morris
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On Solid Ground Manufacturing, services grow in The High Ground Story by Kathryn Royster Photography by Brian McCord
What’s Online O Read about Amarillo Gear Co. and other regional manufacturers at imageshighground.com.
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anufacturing and commercial services are big business in The High Ground. “In a stagnant economy, we’re growing phenomenally,” says John Miller, owner of Lubbock-based WesTex Documents. “In 2008, we grew 26 percent.” The company has about 200 commercial clients and offers document shredding, storage, digital imaging and data center management. WesTex also holds the coveted NQA-1 certification for nuclear contracting. Miller attributes much of his company’s success to excellent service – and West Texans’ willingness to reward it. “People here look for partnerships, quality and reliability,” he says. “If you design your business model around that, you’ll succeed.” And The High Ground is full of employees
WesTex Documents has earned the prestigious Nuclear Quality Assurance certification.
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WesTex Documents is a document shredding firm located in the Reese Technology Center. Bottom right: Spec.-Ops. gear
Lubbock Sweetwater Odessa Monahans
The High Ground of Texas
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who make that easy, according to Mick Truitt, vice president of sales at Sweetwaterbased Ludlum Measurements. “You find truly friendly people here – clients genuinely like dealing with them,” he says. Founded in 1962, Ludlum Measurements manufactures radiationdetection equipment for clients in 67 countries. A burgeoning national interest in alternative energy is fueling the company’s growth. “Every new nuclear power plant that goes in needs our kind of equipment, and we’ve opened a machine shop for
the wind energy companies coming into Sweetwater,” Truitt says. Best Made Designs, headquartered in Monahans, is another of the region’s growing manufacturers. Founded in 2000, the company has grown from 25 to 140 employees. Its Spec.-Ops. line of military gear, manufactured entirely in the U.S., is sold directly to the U.S. Department of Defense and at base exchanges worldwide. The company is successful, Bryan Heflin says, because everyone at Best Made is dedicated to what they do. Even CEO Jeff Wemmer personally tests
prototypes in the Monahans Sandhills. “We like the quality of the people we’re able to get and the work ethic here,” Heflin says. “They’re people who get the job done.” That kind of work ethic defines Odessa’s Tony Porras, whose T&R Enterprises provides janitorial and upholstery services to commercial clients. Porras employs eight people and does work for restaurant chains and hospitals such as IHOP, Rosa’s Café, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, as well as hospitals and doctors’ offices. And there’s always room for more.
“You can’t wait for the business to come to you, you have to go and look for it,” Porras says. “I go to the client and give them ideas for what would look good.” Thanks to his proactive approach, his upholstery business has grown 30 percent in 2009 - and he can’t imagine working anywhere but The High Ground. “My town is not that big, not that little. Everybody knows who you are and what you’re doing for the community,” he says. “I don’t want to be any place but here.”
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Meat Matters in this Region As The High Ground’s beef and swine industries grow, so grows the economy
More Insight The beef industry in The High Ground is a job generator. Take Cargill Meat Solutions, which has plants in Plainview and Friona. Both facilities are on the cutting edge of meat processing. The company pioneered steam pasteurization technology, which has revolutionized the way the beef industry battles E. coli. The Friona Cargill plant employs more than 1,900, and the Plainview plant employs more than 2,000.
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Story by Brandon Lowe
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f the many iconic images that define the beautiful plains of The High Ground region, few are as important economically as the image of cattle grazing in the sun. With the help of a climate that is ideal for cattle and abundant golden grain, the region is home to the nation’s leading cattle industry cluster. In fact, some 30 percent of the nation’s fed cattle production comes from The High Ground, and area cattle farmers ship their product all over the world. “The entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of area cattle producers continue to make The High Ground a very competitive cattle producing region,” says Ross Wilson, CEO
of Texas Cattle Feeders Association, which represents the cattle feeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. “Our industry enjoys strong support and business relations with High Ground area businesses, providing a cohesiveness to the cattle industry here. And that helps improve our competitiveness with other cattle feeding regions.” For example, the area’s roughly 150 feed yards benefit significantly from the fact that several meat packing plants in The High Ground work closely with area cattle feeders. In turn, the overall economic impact of The High Ground cattle industry exceeds $15 billion annually, with an estimated 25,000 jobs related
What’s Onlinee Beef is big business in The High Ground. Learn more at imageshighground.com.
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BRIAN McCORD
Beef is still what’s for dinner in Texas’ renowned steakhouses.
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15 years the company has been in business in Perryton, the city has experienced a steady growth in jobs and has seen its tax base jump dramatically. “Texas Farms has been wonderful for bringing diversity to our traditional economic base,” says Perryton City Manager David Landis. He says with the economic challenges facing the country as a whole, the swine industry in Perryton and around The High Ground has helped prop up other struggling industries. “At this stage in the world economy, it is really nice to have a company that is continuing to circulate dollars into our community,” Landis says.
Scorecard
$15 billion economic impact of the cattle industry in The High Ground
25,000 cattle industry jobs created in The High Ground
150 cattle feed yards throughout The High Ground
ANTONY BOSHIER
to the cattle-feeding business. Ample grazing land is a big factor in the success of beef production in the region because pounds from pasturefed cows tend to cost less. Meanwhile, during the winter, High Ground cattle producers are able to continue to fatten cattle thanks to the area’s abundance of winter wheat pastures. In addition to being a major exporter of beef, The High Ground also boasts a healthy swine industry. Perryton’s Texas Farms, one of the nation’s largest hog operations, has turned the city into one of the major pork producers in the state and nation, producing close to 700,000 market hogs each year. In the nearly
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Cash Crops Cotton, corn, wheat keep High Ground economy growing
Story by Brandon Lowe
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hanks to the resiliency of producers, annual yields remain high for the many crops that grow in The High Ground region. “Agriculture has stayed somewhat insulated from severe economic impact,” says Dr. Stephen H. Amosson, extension economist for Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Amarillo. “Other industries are scrambling to become more efficient, something we in agriculture have been doing for years.” Willingness on the part of producers
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to seek efficiencies, as well as technological advancements, has helped abundant High Ground crops such as cotton, wheat and corn to continue to strengthen the economy. In recent years, The High Ground has become the top cotton-producing region in the top cotton-producing state in the country. And because so many other industries are involved in the processing and sale of cotton, money invested in the crop makes its way into many other areas of the economy,
Cotton
Wheat
It’s grown on five million acres in six different regions, generating $1.6 billion for farmers.
First planted in the U.S. in 1777, Texas farmers now harvest 3.4 million acres annually.
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S TA F F P H O T O S
More Insight Produce is a growing agribusiness sector in The High Ground. Companies such as CSS Farms in Dalhart are consistently producing high-quality produce for national clients. CSS Farms, which grows and stores potatoes, has been awarded Frito Lay Central Region Grower of the Year and North American National Supplier of the Year. The Dalhart facility doubled in size in 2004.
giving cotton the potential to be a cash crop for years to come. “The High Plains of Texas is a cotton-first production region,” says Shawn Wade, director of communications for Plains Cotton Growers Inc. “You would be hard pressed to find anything that performs as well as cotton does over time.” Meanwhile, the wheat industry’s staying power comes from the fact that the versatile crop has become an integral part of The High Ground economy. While the region accounts for nearly two-thirds of statewide wheat production, it is the role of wheat in the feedlot industry that truly stretches the total economic impact of this cash crop, which rakes in millions in grazing revenue each year. “The wheat industry is here to stay,” Amosson says. “It is literally ingrained into everything we do here.” Future horizons for the wheat industry remain bright thanks to the loosening of trade
barriers with Cuba. Wheat has consistently been one of the top exports to Cuba each year, and the new policy creates significant new sales opportunities for High Ground wheat producers. Meanwhile, advances in biotech wheat and subsurface drip systems have reduced expenses and increased yields for corn growers. And unlike wheat and cotton, reducing upfront costs for corn in The High Ground is that much more important because minimal rainfall in the area leads to bloated water pumping expenses. And so as each sector of the cash crop economy in The High Ground adapts, a key ingredient for economic success is produced in the minds of farmers around the region: confidence. “There is a bright picture for agriculture 10 to 30 years down the road,” Amosson says. “We are going to have to feed and clothe a lot of people. And the economic adjustments that producers make today opens the door for continued growth down the road.”
Above: A farmer plants seed in a field located between Levelland and Lubbock. West Texas is known for its high production of agricultural products such as cotton, corn and soybeans. Right: Irrigation systems continue to water the crops while the evening sun sets just south of Amarillo.
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Milky Way Dairy industry takes stock, plans for anticipated growth Story by Brandon Lowe
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ompetitive land prices, a business-friendly regulatory climate, good weather and abundant feed crops combine in The High Ground to create a welcoming environment for the dairy industry. “There’s no question that the current state of the industry is not good for dairy producers, regardless of where you are located.” says David Jones, chief operating officer for the Southwest Area of Dairy Farmers of America. “However, we believe there will be continued growth in the dairy industry in the region.” Growth in the dairy industry is about more than farming. Hilmar Cheese Company opened its Dalhart plant because it puts the company in the center of the United States within a growing dairy region. The facility converts the abundance of high-quality milk into a variety of commercial cheese and whey products. Hilmar helped lure another major cheese company to The High Ground in
2008. Pacific Cheese located its plant and distribution center in Amarillo. Pacific supplies cheese under a contract with Taco Bell, processing 40-pound blocks of cheese from Hilmar’s plant, shredding and repackaging it, then transporting it wholesale to customers. Nationally, dairy price swings due to the economic downtown have created real challenges for area producers. However, Jones says that volatility can in some ways be thwarted by a number of risk management services offered by DFA that help stabilize dairy price values and feed costs. Buying in bulk and locking in favorable risk protection agreements help producers ride out the lag in the economy. For now, however, there may be too much of a good thing. Cows are producing so well that currently there is a nationwide milk surplus estimated at 4 percent. Therefore, High Ground dairy farmers would love nothing more than
Marketing milk and other dairy products is a key strategy of the Dairy Max initiative.
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What’s Onlinee Learn about the dairy industry in The High Ground at imageshighground.com.
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PHOTOS BY JEFF ADKINS
Cows move into milking stalls at a busy dairy farm. Right: Milk receptacles
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to see more people drinking milk. Enter Dairy Max, a communications organization whose goal is to increase consumption of all types of dairy products. “Change has to come from the consumer level,” says Marty McKinzie, Dairy Max director of Industry, Image, and Relations. “We are really trying to serve as a go-to source during these tough economic times.” McKinzie says the country’s larger economic woes present a new opportunity to get people’s attention about nutritional value of milk. An 8-ounce glass of milk, which costs roughly 25 cents, is packed with nine major vitamins and minerals. “I don’t think you’ll find a better nutritional
value for your dollar than with dairy products,” says Lana Frantzen, Ph.D., Dairy Max director of nutrition communications. In the long run, Frantzen says that accumulating research on the nutritional value of dairy products can help milk regain its status as the health beverage of choice in America. In a producer heavy region such as The High Ground, where many dairies are third- and fourth-generation family-owned businesses, a rise in demand for milk is a promise of continued prosperity. “Dairy producers are extremely resilient,” Jones says. “They always seem to find a way.” For more information, see www.dairymax.org and www.dfamilk.com.
Texas Dairy Industry 418,000 head of milk cows
1,500 gallons of milk produced annually per cow
200,000 lifetime glasses of milk from a single dairy cow
NOTEWORTHY INNOVATIVE DAIRY FARMER PRAISED HARRY DEWIT of Parmer County was named the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year for being one of the most progressive and forward-thinking dairy producers in the country. DeWit’s dairy milks 4,400 cows, employs 51 people and farms 5,100 acres near Friona. He built one of the first cross-ventilated barns in Texas and has branched out to create a partnership with two other dairy producers to collaborate on buying opportunities for feed, medicine, seed corn and more.
They share a dairy performance manager who oversees group purchases and employ two service mechanics. The nonprofit Dairy Services LLC he helped form also pools the members’ resources for employee training and information. “Harry is one of the most respected and best producers around here,” says Chris Reed, a neighboring dairy producer. “If you wanted to learn from a dairy producer, he’d be the one to learn from. He’s very progressive and cutting-edge.”
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BIG SPRING …
www.bigspringtx.com
… WHERE A HANDSHAKE STILL MEANS SOMETHING.
Gallery
Monahans Sandhills State Park consists of 3,840 acres of sand dunes. Photo by Brian McCord
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Lake Meredith is beautiful and peaceful. Photo by Antony Boshier
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Near Lake Fryer, wildflowers paint Ochiltree County with color.
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Levelland is among the many communities in The High Ground that offer public parks for families to enjoy. Photo by Antony Boshier
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Palo Duro Canyon landscapes are dramatic and scenic. Photo by Brian McCord
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What’s Onlinee Discover the region’s recreational areas at imageshighground.com.
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Livability
It’s Only Natural Fish, hike and relax at any of the beautiful lakes in The High Ground
Story by Joe Morris
ANTONY BOSHIER
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ide-open space is in good supply in The High Ground, but along with such standard fare as hiking and biking, nature lovers can find many opportunities for aquatic excitement as well. The area’s lakes offer an unexpected source of outdoor recreation and continue to grow in popularity as both pubic and private facilities add amenities. Couple those spots with nearby canyons for hiking and trails for walking and riding, and you have the makings for an inexpensive and fun weekend getaway. Many residents point to Lake Meredith as one of their favorite home-
away-from-home spots. The Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is 38 miles north of Amarillo, and was formed by a dam built on the Canadian River in 1962. Since that time, the lake has become a prime spot for boating and fishing, says George Surles, manager of the Marina at Lake Meredith, which offers vehicle trails, camping areas, picnic sites and boat ramps, as well as a full-service marina. “We get a lot of locals but also a lot of vacationers and people from overseas because of the national park system,” Surles says. “Our most popular features are the fish house and the boat rentals. And even though the lake’s been a little
Residents enjoy the tranquility of Lake Lobo.
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Lake Palo Duro, which was formed in 1991 by the counties of Hansford and Moore and the city of Stinnett. The lake has two boat ramps with docks, as well as picnic shelters and both RV and dry camping areas, says Jim Derington, general manager of the Palo Duro River Authority. “The lake was built as a water supply, but we do offer all the recreational features,” Derington says. “We have abundant wildlife in the area, and we really think we have a unique place here. People come through as they’re hiking and using the mountain-bike trails, and are very surprised at what they find It’s a quiet place, and it’s very well taken care of. It drops right off into the canyons, and it’s just beautiful.”
Liquid Assets Here’s a list of lakes enjoyed by the residents of The High Ground region: Buffalo Springs Baylor Creek/Childress Palo Duro Lake Lake Meredith McClellan Reservoir Greenbelt Reservoir Mackenzie Reservoir White River Reservoir Alan Henry Reservoir J.B. Thomas Reservoir Lake Colorado City Lake Fryer Rita Blanca Lake
PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD
bit low, we’re still seeing a lot of people.” The marina doesn’t track visitor numbers, but according to the U.S. National Park Service, the lake gets around 1.2 million visitors per year, Surles says. It’s just as varied and busy at Buffalo Springs Lake, where concerts and festivals throughout the year augment the outdoor activities. “We have ATV trails, camping, hiking, swimming ... all that great stuff,” says Dalla Guerrieri, special events coordinator. “We have people coming in from all over. Our drag boat races bring in around 7,000 people, and when we have our big events like the barbecue cookoff, we get folks from Midland to Amarillo, even from New Mexico.” Quiet and serene is more the stock in trade at
Buffalo Springs Lake is a popular getaway. Left: Alan Henry Lake in Lubbock is a top spot in Texas for largemouth bass.
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An Invitation To Come on Down(town)! NEW PROJECTS, RESTORATIONS BREATHE LIFE INTO CITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION
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einvention is the order of the day for cities and towns throughout the region, and success is being found in any number of ways. Downtown revitalization is taking many forms throughout The High Ground, from full-on marketing campaigns to the overhaul of historic buildings seen as anchors for future efforts. But the goal is the same: Bring back the urban core and let that success drive tourism, business relocation and expansion, and more. “LIVEMidlandTexas.com is an interactive Web site and a one-stop source for just about everything the city has to offer, with a showcase of downtown,” says Natalie Shelton, real estate and marketing coordinator for the Midland Development Corp., which was created in 2002 to help grow the city’s economic and business base. The city has seen everything from new construction to streetscape and faćade facelifts in recent years, and it’s all working. “Ever since [the site] was launched, we have heard so much
more commotion regarding our downtown area,” Shelton says. “If you do not live in west Texas, you would never guess that a city with a population of a little over 100,000 would have such a vibrant and bustling downtown. The site has encouraged more entertainment to move downtown, bringing more people downtown to eat, drink and relax in our green spaces. With the Yucca Theater as our entertainment anchor, we cannot keep Midlanders or our out-of-town guests out. We could not be more proud of our accomplishments downtown.” In Big Springs several projects are under way, with the Settles Hotel being one of the most visible and also the catalyst for renovation and investment. The hotel opened in 1930, and had fallen upon hard times before its recent purchase and subsequent restoration, after which it will serve as both hotel and mixeduse space and offer up its ballroom and other meeting space for public and private events.
“That really got us going, and a couple of projects have happened directly because of it,” says Terry Wegman, executive director of the Big Spring Economic Development Corp. “A couple of small buildings downtown have been rehabbed, and we’re seeing some private construction down here as well.” The city has created a historic district to overlay the downtown area, which will provide further incentives for owners to redevelop their properties, or at the very least return the facades to their original appearance. “The city also passed a bond issue last year to redo all the streets, with new sidewalks, signage and landscaping, even a median with trees down Main Street,” Wegman says. “We’re trying to grease the wheels, make it as easy as possible for individuals who want to do projects and developments down here. We help in all the areas that we can.” – Joe Morris
The historic Settles Hotel in Big Spring has undergone a major renovation. P H O T O B Y B R I A N M c C O R D
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Energy/Technology
Remaking the Grid Major energy players push for clean energy revolution
Story by Brandon Lowe
BRIAN McCORD
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hanks to its geographical position in the Wind Belt, the emergence of a leaner, greener power grid centered around wind energy has positioned The High Ground as a leader in the clean power revolution. “Wind is a whole new industry, and it is really going to grow here,” says David Hudson, director of strategic planning at Southwest Public Service Company, part of Xcel Energy. “The big issue right now is not whether or not the region can become a hub for wind energy, but rather, who is going to pay for the necessary infrastructure to transport wind energy to other regions since there is more wind energy potential locally than consumers can use.” The regional grid is made up of a collection of sellers, owners, operators and consumers, all of whom are currently working together to coordinate an intricate and energyefficient regional power grid to harness the exciting potential of wind. “Essentially, there is not enough transmission to carry that wind out of our area,” says Michael L. Wise, who is Delivering green energy to users is a priority in The High Ground.
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JEFFRE Y S. OT TO
Energy/Technology
Energy producer PSEG in Odessa is part of a major business sector in The High Ground.
vice president of Transmission & Operations for Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, a consumer-owned public utility that is currently hard at work looking for ways to improve the transmission grid. “Improving the regional transmission grid is a win-win for everybody.” Texas is already firmly established as the national leader in wind energy. The state is undertaking a $4.9 billion windpower transmission building project that will add a massive system of transmission lines to help move electricity generated along the windy patches of west Texas to powerhungry metropolitan areas to the east. The project represents the country’s largest investment in clean and renewable power to date. “Our region of the country, with its vast wind resources, has the potential to develop tens of thousands of megawatts of wind energy projects,” Wise says. “Wind can be an
important resource for our nation’s energy future if it can be harvested and harnessed, but transmission lines must be constructed to deliver this renewable energy to other areas of the country where it is needed and can be used.” He says the vital transmission infrastructure should be viewed as an intergenerational asset that will pay dividends into the future. “This will require a national scale building project, something on the same scale of what we accomplished during the Eisenhower administration when he authorized the building of the interstate highway system,” Wise says. Meanwhile, as industry stakeholders align, the potential for creating green energy jobs greatly increases, thanks to billions of dollars in projected infrastructure construction. Those factors and others make this region ground zero for America’s wind energy revolution.
MORE INSIGHT MONAHANS IS A TEXAS TRENDSETTER One city in The High Ground is going green while saving some green. In early 2009, the city of Monahans became the first municipality in Texas to install commercialscale wind turbines to generate energy for the water treatment plant, offsetting 40 percent of the on-site electrical load. “We’ll all benefit not only environmentally and
financially,” says City Manager David Mills. The turbines will cut electricity costs by $30,000 a year and save taxpayers nearly half a million dollars over the next 30 years. “When I see these turbines here, it makes me think that they’re going in the right direction and figuring things out and trying to keep up with a changing world,” says technician Gabriel Thatcher.
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HERE … the lights are always on
• Dedicated OC 192 capable Fiber Optic System • On-site Data Center and disaster recovery workspace • 2,500-acre campus with available land and buildings for lease
Todd Reno, Director of Business Development Reese Technology Center 806.885.6592 treno@reesecenter.com www.reesecenter.com
The High Ground Is Winning With Wind NEW AMARILLO WIND MANUFACTURER RENEWS ENERGY AND THE ECONOMY
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s 2009 draws to a close, the excitement is growing around Amarillo’s newest industry. German-based Zarges Aluminum Systems is nearing construction of a 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Amarillo that will serve the emerging Texas wind energy sector. “Even in a down economy, Zarges’ arrival has been a big boost for the local economy,” says Tim Dannels, managing director of U.S. operations for Zarges. Dannels says Zarges chose Amarillo for its businessfriendly tax structure and its central location in the Wind Belt. “Zarges is big not just because it creates jobs, but because it fosters excitement throughout the community. The
area’s strong workforce was a big part of the decision to settle here.” Of the 100 jobs the company projects will be created by 2012, the large majority will come from The High Ground labor pool. And Amarillo College has partnered with Zarges for the purposes of training future employees. The primary manufacturing in the facility will center on the production of the operating systems inside the towers that support wind turbines. From the implementation of wind energy courses to an increased focus on robotics training and welding, the college has proven to be an invaluable asset for the project. “College officials are hungry to
help local businesses grow,” Dannels says. “And that is a big part of our reason for coming here. Not that anywhere else was bad, but Amarillo College was just exceptional.” The hope for area business leaders, says Dannels, is that bringing cost-effective wind energy manufacturing to The High Ground will eventually help create a wind industry cluster in the region. “Zarges is a big win for the Amarillo area,” Dannels says. “And now, economic leaders in the region are assertively going after other major wind energy players. And that can only mean good things long term for the region’s economy.” – Brandon Lowe
STATS
2.6% .1%
Installed Wind Energy Capacity (MW) Top Five States
5% 14%
30.3%
Texas
Iowa
21.6% 26.4% California
NATURAL GAS USE
Minnesota
Industrial Electric Power Residential
Washington
Commercial Oil & Gas Industry Operations
0
Pipeline Fuel
Source: American Wind Energy Association
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
Vehicle Fuel
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Economic Mainstay
TAKING THE HIGH PLAINS TO EVEN HIGHER GROUND.
WITH OIL AND GAS PRICES STABLE, BUSINESSES LOOK TO REINVEST
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s oil and gas prices settled over the course of 2009, gradual improvement within the industry appears to be on the horizon. “The industry is seeking its equilibrium,” says Taylor Mayne, president of the 700-member Permian Basin Petroleum Association in Midland. “Volatility of oil and gas prices affects our business significantly because you do not know what to plan for down the road. And that has left many companies on the sidelines. But I think we have seen the bottom and companies that are trying to grow will find growth easier when prices are stable.” Following the 2008 record prices of oil, and the resulting millions of dollars in profit, a surge in drilling projects spread across Texas. But the cascading price of oil toward the end of 2008 caused many oil and gas investors to put the brakes on certain projects that were reliant on expensive drilling methods.
“Access to capital is a big concern among oil and gas producers throughout the country,” Mayne says. However, as prices have slowly crawled back up in 2009, oil and gas are once again becoming a realistic – and attractive – investment. Mayne says that producers are becoming more confident about making predictions, building what he calls “an inventory of prospects.” In accordance, Mayne expects to see a resurgence in the industry by the end of 2009, once again ensuring that petroleum and natural gas will continue as a mainstay of The High Ground economy. “Within the industry there is a feeling that there is going to be a rebound in the coming years,” Mayne says. “We might not ever see growth like we saw in 2008, but most in the industry have a general outlook that things are going to firm up by the end of 2009 and into the future.” – Brandon Lowe
It’s the gateway to trade – a planned, multi-modal corridor designed to move goods throughout Mexico, West Texas, the Great Plains and into Western Canada. The Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor – taking the High Plains to even higher ground.
BRIAN McCORD
806.775.3373 www.portstoplains.com
Oil is still an attractive investment in The High Ground.
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Transportation
On Track Rail carriers ramp up services to meet current, future demands Story by Joe Morris
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s major tenants move into The High Ground’s industrial sites, the area’s rail infrastructure is ramping up to meet new challenges. Rail transportation for freight and for people has long been a Texas tradition, and now both short-track and regular rail options are improving services throughout the region. Permian Basin Railways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings, operates the Texas-New Mexico Railroad from Monahans west of Odessa to Lovington, N.M and also runs West Texas & Lubbock Railway, Arizona Eastern Railway and San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad. In The High Ground, a $4 million track upgrade from Lubbock to
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Levelland in 2008 added the capacity for freight shipments to the new ethanol plant there and is indicative of the kind of money the railway is willing to spend in the area to broaden its offerings, says Jack Dapkus, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our railroads handle a lot of freight for both business and agriculture, and we also can bring cars into the area for passenger events,” Dapkus says. “We had some dome cars down last year, and the sight of a passenger car in west Texas set off a firestorm of interest. We found out that people here still love passenger trains and train excursions, so that’s something that we may do more of in the future.” The company licensed the Polar
Transportation
What’s Onlinee Learn more about transportation throughout The High Ground at imageshighground.com.
Interstate 27 and Hwy. 289 on Slide Road in Lubbock, Texas. B R I A N M c C O R D
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Noteworthy Texas Northwestern Railway received a BNSF-Shortline Achievement Award in 2008 for significantly increasing its traffic on BNSF in the areas of agriculture, chemicals and petroleum. The award honors cooperation and business growth. Texas North Western Railway is one of about 200 shortlines connected by BNSF.
Rail transportation in The High Ground is vital to agriculture and other industries.
Express event in Lubbock in 2008 and sold 22,000 tickets in a month. That kind of interest, Dapkus says, gets the company’s attention. “We are always looking for ways not only to serve the area, but to also give back,” he says. Straight-up freight hauling remains the order of the day for BNSF Railway Company, and its tracks continue to see heavy traffic, says T. Craig Morgan, regional manager of
economic development. “People around here are trying to figure out a better way to ship the cotton to California, so that business continues to be good,” Morgan says. “We’re also working with a plant in Lubbock that’ll be receiving corn to make corn meal, and Levelland is going full steam ahead with a new industrial park. We’re working to connect up with short lines and provide service to these new sites.”
The growth in industrial parks, as well as the ongoing influx of wind energy providers and their suppliers, bodes well for the railway into the future, Morgan says. “As these new industrial parks open up and the wind projects begin moving to the east, it’s going to be incredibly busy for us,” he says. “What we’re working on now is how to build the best mousetrap in terms of carrying all these components for our customers.”
DISTANCES Lubbock to Austin
420 miles
Lubbock to Dallas
350 miles
Lubbock to Corpus Christi
530 miles
Lubbock to San Antonio
390 miles
Amarillo to Austin
535 miles
Amarillo to Dallas
375 miles
Amarillo to Corpus Christi
655 miles
Amarillo to San Antonio
510 miles
Amarillo L Lubbock
The High Ground of Texas
MORE AT IMAGESHIGHGROUND.COM
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What’s Onlinee Learn more about the workforce training programs offered by area colleges at imageshighground.com.
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Education
Up and Running Wind, alternative energy programs take off in anticipation of new industry, jobs Story by Joe Morris
BRIAN McCORD
T
he jobs of tomorrow are very much today’s focus at colleges and universities throughout The High Ground. From certificate programs in always-needed areas such as welding to the burgeoning field of wind and alternative energy, the area’s higher education institutions are preparing the workforce of the future. Wind energy is the order of the day on just about every campus, but at West Texas A&M University, the Alternative Energy Institute has been researching the field since the mid-1970s. Now, its findings and education in wind, solar and other alternative sources of power are in high demand, “The real schools that are forwardlooking right now are the community colleges and the trade schools in the area,” says Ken Starcher, director. “Our program has been focused on the science and research behind wind, not getting [students] ready for wind jobs. Getting them ready for the expected doubling in wind installations
in the next four to five years is good business.” At the top of the academic chain, the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University is offering the nation’s first doctoral degree program in wind science and engineering. Texas Tech is one of the few research organizations in the country to offer both a functional workforce educational program along with advanced research degrees for future engineers and scientists in the wind energy sector. For those interested in working in the wind energy field, that translates to a program for nearly every budget, time frame and interest. Good thing, too, as there are dozens of applicants for every classroom spot. That’s also the case at South Plains College, where the Renewable Energy – Wind Technology Program will offer courses in operation, maintenance and manufacturing of wind turbines and related parts. “The college was able to create specialty degree tracks under its
Colleges here are preparing students for jobs in the growing alternative energy sector.
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21st Century INNOVATION 20th Century VALUES
FrionaTX
Where Anything Is Possible www.frionachamber.com
S TA F F P H O T O
From scientific research to manufacturing the massive turbines, wind energy is a job generator in The High Ground.
industrial manufacturing program. Students will be able to explore at least five options within the Industrial Manufacturing/Emerging Technologies field,” says Rob Blair, dean of technical education. “We’ve broken some new ground with this program,” Blair says. “We’re working on getting the training materials and modules set up, and we’ll be ready to go.” Less than a year into its effort, Amarillo College has more than 150 students in its wind energy program, which has two levels of certificates and the option of pursuing an associate’s degree in renewable energy. “That lets us cover solar and other options and gives us more flexibility,” says Jack Stanley, division chair for science and engineering. “We will take 80 more in fall 2009 and have a waiting list of more than 700 people. We know we’re building technicians at least a year ahead of the need, and this is the first time in a while that we in
education have really been ahead of the curve in that way.” While each institution has developed programs, the cooperation between schools means that the region can act in concert with the new industry to meet its ongoing needs, points out Mike Reeser, president of Texas State Technical College West Texas. “We began our wind program about four years ago, and we work hand in glove with the community colleges to ensure that the local areas have their workforce needs filled,” Reeser says. “We have the associate’s degree and two certificates in our program, but we also have our own two-megawatt wind turbine. That really distinguishes us, and a lot of other colleges are bringing their students to our turbine to do some climb training. For economic development to occur, all the schools need to be doing wind, or we’re going to run out of a workforce really quickly.”
Texas Wind Energy
7,115 Total installed wind energy capacity (MW)
1,615 Current wind energy capacity under construction (MW)
2nd Texas ranking in US for potential wind power output
1st Texas ranking in US for current wind power output Source: American Wind Energy Association
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Planning for the future ‌
with a foundation for success. Muleshoe, TX Where Progress Comes Easily www.city-of-muleshoe.com
Odessa College Is Carrying the Torch WELDING FACILITY PROVIDES STEADY STREAM OF MUCH-NEEDED ENTRY-LEVEL WORKERS
T
he continuing boom in oil and gas, as well as new industries such as wind energy production, creates a demand for metal fabrication. That, in turn, means plenty of work for welders, and Odessa College’s new $1.7 million Welding Training Center stands ready to meet the need. The center provides a range of customized training for novices and professional welders, as well as retraining and skills-update courses for those currently in the field. The center will train up to 30 students per eight-week session, with four day and four evening sessions per year, and will also offer a customized training schedule.
The center was built in a converted lab space, which allowed the college to repurpose an old woodworking shop and get up and running quickly, says Jim Mosman, the center’s coordinator. “We received the grant in 2007 and were able to open in January 2008,” Mosman says. “We have had more than 300 people enrolled in the program, and of the ones who completed it, we have a more than 90 percent employment rate so far.” While the facility was designed to produce the eight-week sessions that will train entry-level workers, its graduates also have the option of taking that training and continuing
towards further certification or an associate’s degree. The center came about in large part because of a need for more welders on the ground, a need that’s still an issue even with a slow economy. In fact, Mosman says, the timing is perfect for the center to offer the program. “Quite a few people have gotten laid off the last few months, and many of them are coming in to the take the training,” Mosman says. “That’s going to give them some new skills, so when they go back out to find work, they have more that they can apply for.” – Joe Morris
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PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST TE X AS A&M UNIVERSIT Y
West Texas A&M Amarillo Center
Amarillo Center Is a Towering Success WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IS AN IMPRESSIVE PRESENCE IN TOWN
W
hen West Texas A&M University looked to establish a teaching site in downtown Amarillo, officials hoped that the new facility would get noticed. The new Amarillo Center achieves their goal. What began as an experiment to see how an urban classroom site would fare has quickly become a textbook example of filling an unmet need. Enrollment for the first classes in fall 2008 was strong and has soared in 2009. After just one year, additional offerings – and space – already are on tap. “We conducted a survey with business and government leaders, students, alumni, just everybody we could think of, to see what programs were needed most in the Amarillo area,” says Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien, WTAMU president. “We contracted
with a survey firm, MGT of America Inc., and we found there was a demand for upper-division and graduate education programs in the area, and we also found there were a lot of individuals in and around the Amarillo area who wanted to pursue their higher education but couldn’t do so because of transportation or cost issues.” The university took over 20,000 square feet on the 10th and 11th floors in the Chase Tower at 600 S. Tyler. Amarillo’s highest building quickly became a magnet for students, so much so that new courses quickly made their way onto the roster. “We offered 32 courses in our first semester and had about 600 students,” O’Brien says. “The second semester, in spring 2009, we offered 53 classes and had more than 1,000
students. Now we’re expanding our offerings in the business area and also including engineering and some more upper-division education courses.” To make those classes happen, present a broader range of courses in professional development and continuing education, and explore the potential of having an MBA program and more at the site, more physical space is being adapted for the university’s use. “We’re looking at taking the seventh floor and establishing a bookstore on the first floor,” O’Brien says. “The community’s response has been fantastic, and we’ve gotten a lot of support from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, and we’re definitely growing to meet the need.” – Joe Morris
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Education
Schools Are Building a Better Worker BUSINESS-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS OFFER HEAD START ON JOB TRAINING
H
igh school in The High Ground is getting more practical than ever as area businesses and economic development organizations pitch in to offer students real-world experience. “One of our goals is to prepare students for the 21st-century workforce,” says Lisa Spears, public information officer for Workforce Solutions South Plains. “We want to prepare them for employer demands not only today, but for future technical demands as well.” One effort in this regard recently picked up some statewide recognition, not to mention a $50,000 award. The South Plains Manufacturing Skills Standards Council certification initiative is a partnership between Workforce Solutions South Plains, the West Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, North West Texas Small Business Development Center, Community Workforce Partnership, South Plains College, Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance and the Lubbock and Frenship independent school districts. It allows participating students the opportunity to receive an Advanced Manufacturing Technology certificate, making them eligible to go to work immediately upon graduation. Workforce and its partners also have another youth initiative in robotics, and other area schools are getting in on the act as well. Consider the Vega High School Ag Mechanics team, which picked up four first places and other awards at the 60th Annual Ag Mechanics Show in February 2009. The team’s financial haul was $42,000 in scholarships and almost $40,000 in prizes. The success of the various programs at the high school level means that more should be developed even as the existing
ones are expanded. “As international students continue to excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, we must immediately develop solutions to provide our nation’s youth with the same opportunities for success upon graduation,” says Martin Aguirre, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions. “It is this urgency that
has caused area workforce, economic development and education leaders to collaborate with our business partners to create these skills development projects in the South Plains, ultimately providing the region’s employers the skilled labor pool required for them to remain competitive in the global economy.” – Joe Morris
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BRIAN McCORD
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HIGH GROUND
Health
Nursing an Industry Hospitals, colleges work together to alleviate nursing shortage
Story by Joe Morris
A
ttracting and keeping qualified nurses continues to be a challenge for hospitals nationwide, but the excellent teamwork between The High Ground’s medical centers and its higher-education institutions is helping to ease the crunch here. Colleges and universities throughout the region offer a variety of training options, from full-scale registered nurse programs down to the associate’s degree in vocational nursing. And by working with hospitals not only to place graduates, but also for clinical and other student training, a solid relationship has been formed. “It’s a high-demand occupation and one that is vital to our entire region,” says Dr. Herb Swender, president of Frank Phillips College. “The rural counties and areas here really have a problem filling positions, and so we’re working to try to address it.” The college offers a one-year vocational nurse program and has done so for more than 35 years. It also has other nursing-related training programs and is affiliated with several
area hospitals for clinical apprenticeships. “In the hierarchy of nursing, there are different levels, everything from changing bedpans to applying medicines, and so we try to offer as much as we can,” Swender says. “We have between 40 and 75 students a year in our program, and of those who
graduate, about 95 percent successfully complete their licensure exams. Our biggest challenge is finding enough places for students to do their clinical work, especially at the rural hospitals.” The students are a welcome sight at Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Hospital, both of which
Nursing students train in area hospitals. Left: Covenant Hospital in Lubbock
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HIGH GROUND
“It’s a high-demand occupation and one that is vital to our entire region.” rely on the surrounding colleges and universities for many of their staffing needs. “We work very closely with Odessa College, Midland College and others that have nursing schools,” says Rhonda Lewallen, recruitment and retention coordinator at Medical Center Hospital. “We visit with the students during the semester and have intern programs available for them. As it gets closer to graduation, we host lunches for them and talk about what we have to offer. They’ve got a lot of choices, and we hope that they’ll choose us.” The colleges are vital to the hospitals, she adds, because, “If we can grow our own nurses here in Odessa, then they’ll probably stay here and not move away. And even if they do move for a while, they’ll sometimes come back and continue their career here.” The importance of that kind of investment can’t be overemphasized, says Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, president of Howard College. “We have the LVN and the RN programs and also a transition program, and those have been in place for more than 20 years,” Sparks says. “The programs are very intense.” Nationwide, community colleges provide training for about half of the nursing and other health-care professionals in the field, making them a key link in the chain. “We’re very involved in the health programs, as are universities,” Sparks says. “And the hospitals need them as quickly as we can graduate them.”
Covenant Hospital and Midland Memorial Hospital, below, work with education institutions to train nurses.
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HIGH GROUND
TULIA TEXAS A Winning Move NEW MEDICAL ARTS HOSPITAL EXPANDS SERVICES
E
like moving a house; you can’t stop treating patients and just pack them up. We had to move while simultaneously providing care – it’s like changing a tire while you’re going down the highway at 90 miles per hour.� The hospital’s steering committee and moving task force rose to the challenge, mapping the move’s timeline down to 30-minute increments so that services remained operational at one building or the other. And in the end, the community was welcomed into a new hospital that offers, among other things, a new 16-slice CT scanner, nuclear medicine, an in-house MRI and more. “We have some cutting-edge offerings that will make us more complete for our community, and people are very pleased,� Matlock says. “We’ve really seen the excitement level ratcheting up, and people are very eager to get inside and walk around, see all that we have to offer.� – Joe Morris
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BRIAN McCORD
ven if it’s only a few blocks, moving an entire hospital is no easy task. But when the end result is the new Medical Arts Hospital, the effort is worth it. “What we found out is that there’s no manual out there to tell you how to move a small, rural hospital,� says Melissa Matlock, director of community relations. “You have to do it your own way, which is why we got a lot of attention throughout the region for our move. People wanted to see how we did it, because it’s a rare opportunity to see all this in action.� The new, $14 million, 70,000-square-foot facility in Lamesa had been set to open by the end of 2008, but various construction issues pushed that back to May 2009. The delay helped planners cement their strategies, however, so the extra time turned out to be a bonus. “The moving process for a 50-yearold hospital is very interesting, and it had to be planned with military precision,� Matlock says. “It’s not
The New Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa
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visit our
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86
Amarillo Economic Development Corporation www.amarilloedc.com
First Ag Credit www.capitalfarmcredit.com
Odessa Economic Development www.odessatex.com
Andrews Economic Development Corporation www.andrewsedc.com
Friona Economic Development Corporation www.frionachamber.com
Arbor Inn & Suites www.arborinnandsuites.com
Golden Spread Electric Cooperative Inc. www.gsec.coop
Pampa Economic Development Corporation www.pampaedc.com
Ashmore Inn & Suites – Amarillo www.ashmoresuites-amarillo.com
Hereford Economic Development Corporation www.herefordedc.com
Atmos Energy www.atmosenergy.com
High Ground of Texas www.highground.org
Big Spring Economic Development Corporation www.bigspringtx.com
Lamesa Economic Development Corporation www.growlamesa.org
Perryton Community Development Corporation www.perrytoncdc.com Ports-to-Plains www.portstoplains.com Reese Technology Center www.reesecenter.com Texan Panhandle Regional Development Corporation www.tprdc.com
Borger Economic Development Corporation www.borger.com
Levelland Economic Development Corporation www.golevelland.com
City of Canyon, Texas www.canyontx.com
Littlefield Economic Development Corporation www.littlefieldtexas.org
Tulia Chamber of Commerce & Swisher County Industrial Foundation www.midplains.coop
City of Plainview www.ci.plainview.tx.us
Midland Development Corporation www.midlandtexasedc.org
Wolfforth, Texas www.wolfforthedc.org
Dumas Economic Development Corporation www.dumasedc.org
Monahans Economic Development Corporation www.monahans.org
Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin www.workforcepb.org
Entrepreneur Alliance www.entrepreneuralliance.org
Muleshoe Economic Development Corporation www.city-of-muleshoe.com
Workforce Solutions South Plains www.spworksource.org
HIGH GROUND
ECONOMIC PROFILE FOUNDATION MEMBERS Amarillo EDC, www.amarilloedc.com Golden Spread Electric Coop www.gsec.coop Odessa Development Corp. www.odessatex.com XCEL Energy, www.xcelenergy.com
PLATINUM MEMBER Midland Development Corp www.midlandtxedc.com
BRONZE MEMBER Atmos Energy Corp. www.atmosenergy.com
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, www.theprpc.org South Plains Association of Governments www.spag.org
COMMUNITY MEMBERS Andrews EDC www.andrewsedc.com Aspermont EDC www.aspermonttexas.com Big Spring EDC www.bigspringtx.com Booker EDC, www.bookertexas.org Borger EDC, www.borger.com Brownfield Industrial Development Corp www.ci.brownfield.tx.us Canadian-Hemphill County Economic Development www.canadiantx.com Canyon EDC, www.canyonedc.com City of Crosbyton www.cityofcrosbyton.org Claude Chamber of Commerce www.carsoncountymuseum.com Dalhart EDC, www.dalhart.org Dimmitt Chamber of Commerce www.dimmittchamber.com Dumas EDC, www.dumasedc.org
Floydada EDC www.floydadaedc.com Friona EDC www.frionachamber.com City of Gruver/Gruver EDC City of Hale Center Hereford EDC www.herefordtx.org/HEDC Idalou EDC, www.idaloutx.com Lamesa EDC, www.growlamesa.com Levelland EDC www.levellandtexas.org Littlefield EDC www.littlefieldtexas.org City of Lorenzo www.cityoflorenzo.org Mitchell County Board of Eco. Dev. www.coloradocity.net Monahans EDC www.monahans.org Muleshoe EDC www.city-of-muleshoe.com Pampa EDC, www.pampa.com Perryton Community Development Corp. www.perrytoncdc.com City of Plains City of Plainview/ Plainview Hale Co Ind Found www.plainviewtx..org Reese Redevelopment Center www.reesecenter.com Seminole EDC www.seminoleedc.org Shamrock EDC www.shamrocktx.net Sherman County Development Committee www.shermancountytx.org Slaton EDC, www.slatontexas.org Spearman EDC, www.spearman.org City of Spur, www.spurchamber.com Sundown EDC www.sundowntx.com Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Dev. www.sweetwatertexas.net City of Tulia www.tuliachamber.com City of Wellington www.wellingtontx.com City of Wheeler www.wheelertexas.com Wolfforth EDC www.wolfforthedc.org
COUNTY MEMBERS Bailey County, www.co.bailey.tx.us Cochran County www.co.cochran.tx.us Cottle County, www.co.cottle.tx.us Dallam County Industrial Development Corp., www.dallam.org Hockley County, www.co.hockley.tx.us Ochiltree County www.co.ochiltree.tx.us Oldham County, www.oldhamcofc.org Parmer County Industrial Development Corp www.parmercounty.net Wheeler County www.wheelertexas.com
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS Amarillo College, www.actx.edu American Electric Power www.aep.com Bailey County Electric www.bcecoop.com Class 4 Winds Inc. www.class4winds.org Entreprenuer Alliance www.entreprenueralliance.org Northwest Texas SBDC www.nwtsbdc.org Oncor Electric Delivery www.locationtexas.com Panhandle Workforce Solutions www.Work2aT.com Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission, www.pbrpc.org Rita Blanca Electric, www.rbec.org South Plains College www.southplainscollege.edu Swisher Electric www.swisherelectric.org Texas Cattle Feeders Association www.tcfa.org Texas Agri-Life Extension Service www.tamu.edu Windstream Communications www.windstream.com Workforce Solutions of the South Plains, www.spworkforce.org WTAMU Enterprise Network www.incubationworks.com West Texas A&M University www.wtamu.edu XIT Communications/ XIT Wireless/XITv www.xitcomm.net
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Ad Index
4 Amarillo Economic Development Corporation
9 Andrews Economic Development Corporation
56 City of Canyon, Texas
C2 City of Plainview
14 Dumas Economic Development Corporation
76 Entrepreneur Alliance
72 Friona Economic Development Corporation 64 Golden Spread Electric Cooperative Inc.
78 Arbor Inn & Suites
86 Ashmore Inn & Suites – Amarillo
26 Atmos Energy
44 Big Spring Economic Development Corporation
10 Borger Economic Development Corporation
79 CAPITAL FARM Credit
12 Hereford Economic Development Corporation C4 High Ground of Texas
Ad Index (cont.)
68 Lamesa Economic Development Corporation
88 Levelland Economic Development Corporation
8 Littlefield Economic Development Corporation
18 Monahans Economic Development Corporation
74 Muleshoe Economic Development Corporation
2 Odessa Economic Development
6 Pampa Economic Development Corporation
20 Perryton Community Development Corporation
65 Ports-to-Plains
62 Reese Technology Center
82 Texas Panhandle Regional Development Corporation
85 Tulia Chamber of Commerce & Swisher County Industrial Foundation
84 Wolfforth, Texas
16 Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin
82 Workforce Solutions South Plains
M o v e a t t h e s p e e d o f p r o g r e s s . I n v e s t i n t h e f u t u r e t o d a y. Levelland is leading the way by investing millions to develop the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park. The LIRP will connect businesses to suppliers and customers globally, while contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. I n v e s t i n P ro g re s s . I n v e s t i n t h e E n v i ro n m e n t . I n v e s t i n L e v e l l a n d . M o v e a t t h e s p e e d o f p r o g r e s s , l o g o n t o G o Te x a s R a i l . c o m
SOUTH P PLLAINS COLLEGE