During the Amarillo City Council meeting on July 22, 2025, significant discussions centered around public safety staffing and a major economic development project involving International Aerospace Coatings (IAC).

The council confirmed readiness to staff a new facility, indicating that the necessary personnel are in place, thanks to budget allocations made in previous years. This development is crucial for maintaining public safety services, with council members expressing strong support for the initiative. A contract was awarded to Plains Builders for $7,395,120, marking a step forward in the city's infrastructure development.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by IAC representatives regarding their plans to expand operations at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. IAC, which has been a tenant at the airport for over 30 years, intends to construct a new 78,000 square foot wide body hangar. This expansion represents a capital investment of approximately $27.7 million and is expected to create up to 70 new full-time jobs, with an average salary of $55,000 per employee.

To facilitate this growth, the council discussed two key incentives: a job creation incentive of $10,000 per new full-time equivalent employee, payable over five years, and a tax abatement proposal. The tax abatement would provide an 80% reduction on property improvements in the first year, decreasing by 10% annually over eight years. This financial support aims to bolster IAC's investment and job creation efforts, further enhancing the local economy.

The meeting underscored the city council's commitment to fostering economic development while ensuring public safety needs are met. As Amarillo continues to grow, these initiatives are expected to have lasting impacts on the community's economic landscape and employment opportunities.