FEDC — Friona Chamber

The Community

Friona has seen steady population and economic growth in recent years. The 2020 Census listed the population of Friona as 4,171. Steady growth associated with agriculture production and the emergence dairy farms has gradually increase the population in the community. The Cargill Meat Packing plant is the major employer (over 2,000) in the community and has expanded significantly in the past 5 years. Friona is serviced by one major highway, State Highway 60/ Teh city is located approximately 70 minutes southwest of the City of Amarillo, 90 miles northwest of Lubbock and 25 miles from the New Mexico border. Schools in Friona are part of the Friona Independent School District (3-A).

Friona is the official “Cheeseburger Capital of Texas’ hosting an annual celebration focused on the food that combines the wheat, beef, and cheese readily produced in Friona. With field of grain, 5 feedlots, and 14 dairies around Friona it is easy to see why the Cheeseburger has become a symbol of the community. Friona has a new community park inclusive of RV hookups. Parmer Medical Center is a Critical Access Hospital located in the community. The city is also home to an assisted living facility and a rural health clinic.

What’s Unique About Friona

Friona is a community on the cusp of business growth. The Friona Economic Development Corporation has been extremely active over the past three years offering incentives for new home construction, store front improvements to existing businesses and attraction and retention of new and established businesses such as Cargill Meat Solution.

Established in 1968, Cargill’s Friona facility resides in a leading U.S. agriculture production area. Our beef processing facility is surrounded by many small communities of Friona and Bovina totaling 5,680 resident combined.

The Cargill Friona facility employs approximately 2,000 employees, processes an average of 4,500 head of cattle per day, and produces more than 3 million pounds of beef per day. Employees donate time and services to a variety of organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, City Council, volunteer firefighters, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, Snack-Pak for Kids, school programs, and sponsorships.

As you think about Friona, consider the fact that we can offer incentives that might include 5 year tax abatement, wavier of permit fees for construction projects, a monetary investment from the Friona Economic Development Corporation and a partner as you work towards making Friona your new home.

Friona also works closely with local, state and federal representatives to help with special events, promote services for the City of Friona and showcase all the wonderful things Friona has to offer those living, working, or visitng Friona.

Population

City of Fiona - 4,186

Parmer County - 9,749

Location

Friona, Texas offers a strategic and promising location for the economic developers seeking growth opportunities. Nestled in the heat of the Texas Panhandle, Friona boasts a prime position along major transportation arteries, including Highways 60 and 214, facilitating easy access to regional and national markets.

The town’s proximity to key urban centers such as Amarillo and Lubbock coupled with its advantageous location within the agriculture-rich Panhandle region, positions it as a hub for agribusiness and food processing ventures. Friona’s robust agriculture sector, specializing in dairy, beef, and grain production, provides a solid foundation for agribusiness expansion and investment.

Furthermore, Friona offers a business-friendly environment characterized by supportive local government policies, low taxes, and affordable real estate, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike. The community’s strong work ethic, skilled labor force, and collaborative spirit contribute to a thriving business ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth.

At A Glance

HWY 60, which runs through Friona, sees a daily traffic count of 8,000-10,000 as of 2022. The Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) is collected at point layer traffic stations for Texas Department of Transportation. The traffic has continued to increase year over year.

Quality of Life

Friona boasts a high quality of life, with excellent schools, affordable housing, and abundant recreational opportunities, making it an appealing destination for families and individuals looking to put down roots.

Education

Friona Independent School District offers Primary through 12 grade education. Total students enrolled is approximately 1,085 with total staff employed approximately being 225.

Public School Special Programs

Special Education/Early Childhood
Vo-Tech Texas State Technical Institute

Going further in higher education doesn’t mean high mileage, with seven institutions of higher education within 100-mile radius the options are unlimited.

Colleges withing Commuting Distance

Clovis Community College Clovis, NM | 33.5 Miles | Enrollment 2,162
West Texas A&M University Canyon, TX | 53 Miles | Enrollment 7,416
Eastern New Mexico University Portales, NM | 54 Miles | Enrollment 5,106
Amarillo College Hereford, TX Campus | 22 Miles | Amarillo, TX Campus | 68 Miles | Total Enrollment 9,179
Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX | 75 Miles | Enrollment 3,508
South Plains College Levelland, TX | 85 Miles | Enrollment 5,905
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | 97 Miles | Enrollment 36,825

HOUSING

Friona’s housing market is often characterized by affordability, with median home prices typically lower compared to larger metropolitan areas. This makes it an attractive option for first-time homebuyers, families, and individuals seeking more affordable housing options. Friona offers a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and manufactured homes. The mix of housing types caters to diverse preferences and budgets within the community.

Average cost per sq. ft for EXISTING home, 3 bedroom

High $93 | Medium $80.09 | Low $63

Average cost per sq. ft for NEW home, 3 bedroom

High $140 | Medium $120 | Low $100

Typical Lot Size: 75 x 110 Sq. Ft.

Typical Lot Cost Range: $5,000-$16,800

HEALTHCARE

Friona is served by Parmer Medical Center (PMC), a Critical Access Hospital, offering services such as general care, swing bed, or skilled nursing care and emergency care. The medical staff at PMC is trained and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as well as Trauma. Outpatient services include a full service laboratory, and a radiology department that includes routine x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, Mammograms, Cardiac and Doppler Imaging. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy are also available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

Parmer Medical Center is pleased to provide physicians specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, gynecology, gastrointestinal disorders. PMC is excited to offer these clinics to patients as part of their ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of the residents of Parmer County and the surrounding area.

Conveniently located next to Parmer Medical Center is the Friona Rural Health Clinic. Friona Rural Health Clinic (FRHC) is the product of over 60 years of personal effort by dedicated physicians to build an exceptional health care organization. The staff emphasizes a professional and caring attitude and maintains a strong commitment to individual treatment. FRHC supports preventive health measures to reduce the ultimate cost of health care. Located close to Parmer Medical Center, the Clinic teams with the Hospital to provide service excellence in healthcare to the surround area.

Recreation

Friona is home to Reeve Lake with two lakes within driving distance:

Ute Lake State Park Logan, NM | 91.10 Miles

Lake Meredith Fritch, TX | 109.3 Miles

Additional Recreation

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Canyon, TX | 65.40 Miles

Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino Ruidoso, NM | 211 Miles

Snow Skiing

Red River, NM | 195 Miles
Ski Apache Alto, NM | 221 Miles
Angel Fire Resort Angel Fire, NM | 268 Miles
Taos Ski Valley Resort Taos, NM | 299.40 Miles

Constructing Initiative

Developers could be looking at a waiver of these and other fees:

Building Plan Review Fees
Building Permit Fees
Subcontractor Permit Fees
Labor Cost of City Staff
Property Tax Abatements
Sewer Tap Fees
Electrical, Mechancial, Plumbing Fees
Extension of Water/Sewer Lines
Deeding of Property at little/no cost
Water Tap Fees

Benefits of Friona

Cost: You’ll find that property in Friona and Parmer County is more affordable than urban areas in Texas. That’s why so many industries are choosing to relocate to our area. We have several dairies that have relocated to the area and our local major employer, Cargill Meat Solutions, is looking at expansion in the coming years.

Taxes: Tax abatement is a reality for those industries looking to relocate to Friona and Parmer County. We know taxes can have a huge impact on the profitability of your organization; and we can help with that.

Customers: You will have a strong customer base in the Texas Panhandle (and Texas overall) that you can use to your advantage to decrease costs. Additionally close proximity to New Mexico expands your customer base.

Growth Capabilities: You’ll notice from the options provided that there is tremendous growth opportunity for your industry in Friona and Parmer County. We have a wide landscape of acreage and a vast labor pool for you to utilize as you make us your new home.

Community Impact: Your industry have the ability to impact our region in the best way possible. organizations within our community are interdependent. We all work together to assure we support one another for the betterment of our residents.

Crime Rate: Friona has a low crime compared to the national average. The total crime is 70% below the national average and the property crim is 69% lower than the national average. Making Friona a safe place to live and do business.