Agreement keeps American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo

After hearing overtures from Fort Worth to move there, the American Quarter Horse Association will remain in Amarillo for another 10 years after reaching an agreement over $3 million in incentives from the local Economic Development Corporation.

AQHA’s headquarters have been in Amarillo since 1946 and is estimated to generate $25 million in economic impact annually to the city. The association claims more than 226,000 members, with more than 6 million American Quarter Horses registered there. AQHA also employs 200 people.

The facility also contains a Hall of Fame and museum, helping make the AQHA a major tourism attraction for the city.

The Amarillo Globe-News reported details about the pact:

During Tuesday’s council meeting, the Amarillo city council approved a location incentive agreement from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to keep the home of the AQHA in Amarillo for 10 years after there were conversations that the association was moving to Fort Worth. […]
According to a news release, the Amarillo EDC’s agreement states that the corporation will give $300,000 per year to the association for 10 years to keep its home in Amarillo, along with a $2 million donation from private citizens towards the cause. […]
Kevin Carter, the president and chief executive officer for the Amarillo EDC, said during the council meeting that the association has $9 million in annual payroll, bringing a significant economic impact to the city of Amarillo. If the association falls under $6 million in payroll, the AQHA will have to pay back the funds given to them by the corporation. 

Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson said this about the AQHA staying in her city, according to News Channel 10 in Amarillo:

“We would say please stay AQHA because Amarillo had you first and because you’ve grown up with us along with Route 66 and the Big Texan, Palo Duro Canyon and Cadillac Ranch. You were woven into the fabric of who we are and the city. So we’re gonna celebrate today as we change the phrase please stay please stay AQHA to hooray AQHA.”

This three-minute video provides an overview of the museum:

The AQHA sits on Amarillo’s east side, just off Interstate 40, when it was built in that location in 1983. According to online newspaper archives, two previous locations were only a few blocks south of Amarillo Boulevard (aka Route 66), both on 10th Avenue.

(Image at the American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo, Texas, by mr_t_77 via Flickr)

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