Community Profile

Below is a list of major employers in and around Odessa.  For additional information about the employers in Odessa please contact us directly at 877.363.3772 or by email at info@odessaecodev.com. 

Odessa, Texas — Clean Air Attainment City

Odessa, Texas is the right place for quality, clean air especially with companies that are increasingly aware of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs to improve air quality in non-attainment cities. The EPA has ambient air quality standards for six major air pollutants and Odessa achieves attainment in all six areas.

Basically, the West Texas area enjoys their clean air attainment status for a number of reasons, and companies looking to expand or relocate will also enjoy the benefit of that status. As an oil and gas producing city, we are extremely proud of our attainment status and we are eager to welcome new business to our area.

The EPA's 1990 Clean Air Act provides economic incentives to businesses through credits for cleaning up pollution. Not only do we have clean air and limitless opportunities, but we are geographically positioned for growth with an industrial park adjacent to Interstate 20 and an international airport only minutes away.

If you’re thinking about relocating or expanding, take a long look at Odessa.

Odessa, Texas offers some of the lowest property tax rates in the country. Ad valorem (according to the value) property taxes are paid to the city, county, local school district, hospital district and junior college district. Following is the tax rate set by each taxing entity.

With a wonderful mix of native West Texans and those who couldn't get here fast enough, Odessa is becoming more culturally diverse every day. And it's doing so without losing its trademark southern charm and hospitality.

Odessa offers a unique blend of small and large town benefits. No matter where you go in and around the city, you'll find the friendly faces and inviting spirit Odessa is known for.

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Fortunately, Odessa is big enough to demand superior roadway and railway systems, yet small enough to get around in quickly. The multi-lanes of Interstate 20, State Highway 385 and the John Ben Shepperd Parkway provide quick access to industrial, commercial and residential areas in central and east Odessa. The location of the Union Pacific Railroad switch station and a proposed spur that will run throughout the Parkway Industrial Park complex makes shipping raw materials and finished goods in and out of town a breeze.Odessa also offers the quintuple Freeport Exemption for all taxing entities on goods in transit. 

With the progress of La Entrada al Pacifico-the US 385 Texas-Western Mexico Trade Route, Odessa has become the center for commerce in West Texas. In fact all roads through West Texas have led to Odessa for a long time.  

We learned a long time ago how valuable a solid educational system can be to thriving communities. From Pre-K all the way through specialized graduate degree programs, Odessa is the head of its educational class.

We can take good care of you here in Odessa. Healthcare is a primary focus for the future of this city. Centrally located in the Permian Basin, Odessa has grown to be the healthcare hub for the surrounding communities with state-of-the-art services and technology. There are more than 200 physicians representing a wide variety of specialties, including cardiovascular surgery, emergency care and comprehensive cancer care. In addition, there are more than 80 dentists in the community.

Three acute care hospitals, Medical Center Hospital and Odessa Regional Medical Center have a combined total of 592 licensed beds. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Odessa is dedicated to improving the quality of health care, medical education and research in the Permian Basin. Besides several medical residency programs, TTUHSC also offers bachelors and doctorate degrees in many healthcare fields.

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Total Non-Agriculture Employment - April 2009
64,200

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State of Texas Civillian Workforce (April 2009)
11,873,800

State of Texas Unemployment Rate
6.4%

There are plenty of reasons to relocate your business in Odessa. Probably the most important are those that can positively affect your bottom line. Depending on your type of business, moving to Odessa means you could qualify for a variety of lucrative local and state incentive packages.

Come join the companies that have chosen Odessa, Texas for their business:

Family Dollar Stores, Inc. 
The Telvista Company
Coca-Cola
Navasota Energy
Southwestern Bell
Weatherford Artificial Lift Systems
Desert Industrial X-Ray
First American Home Warranty
Texas Independent Energy
Standard Structures
Odessa Concrete
Micro Information Services
Athletic Supply
Bear's Machine and Manufacturing, Inc.
Falcon International
MidCon Compressors

We've got a lot of energy!  The Energy Complex on Interstate 20 in south Odessa offers several unique resources required by heavy manufacturing industries:

• Oncor and gas 345 KV power station
   
• Ample water supply
   
• 24-hour operated freight center operated by Union Pacific
   
• Natural gas
   
• State-of-the-art industrial wastewater treatment plant
   
• Available surface space

In addition and adjacent to the Energy Complex are two power plants.  PSEG and Navasota Energy, LLC.  PSEG owns and operates Odessa Ector Power Partners power plant.  It is a $300 million dollar, 1,000-megawatt natural gas-fueled electric power generating plant. Navasota Energy, LLC owns and operates Quail Run Energy Center's power plant.  It is a $200 million dollar, 775-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant.  These two power plants will ensure Odessa's electrical needs now and in the future.
 

When it comes to water supply, we're underutilized. The Colorado River Municipal Water District supplies water for Odessa through plentiful well and reservoir sources. With a daily treatment capacity of 55,000,000 GPD and a daily pumping capacity of 65,000,000 GPD, the system is nowhere near working at full tilt. Plus, the overhead storage capacity is 6,300,000 gallons, with 24,700,000 gallons stored in the ground.

Moreover, the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility is one of only two in the state of Texas that has the capacity for handling 10 million gallons of industrial wastewater discharge with 6-7 million gallons per day excess capacity.

Texas Independent Energy is located in the Petrochemical Complex in Odessa and operates a 1,000 megawatt natural gas-fuels electric power generating plant.  Quail Run Energy is constructing a 775 megawatt gas-fired power plant on Interstate 20.  Phase One is complete, phase two under construction and phase three to be completed in 2008.

Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, Odessa is at the industrial and commercial crossroads of West Texas. It's halfway between Dallas/Fort Worth and El Paso. Odessa and our sister city Midland, located 18 miles due east, make up the hub of the Petroplex. The Petroplex produces a total of one-fourth of the entire nation's natural gas.

Average Elevation: 2,851 feet above sea level

City Area: 35.04 square miles

County Area: 903 square miles

As the seat of Ector County, Odessa and its governing bodies are recognized for being "business-friendly." With a focus on tomorrow without forgetting our storied past, the city and county have worked side-by-side in putting a new face on the downtown area while preserving the historic look and feel that is Odessa–both in terms of newly constructed facilities and in planning for the future.

With extremely accessible governing officials, Odessa operates under a charter that provides for a Council-Manager form of government. The council consists of a mayor and five council members serving three-year staggered terms. The Council is responsible for the appointment of the city manager, municipal judges, city attorney, city secretary and boards and legislative policy making. The city manager serves as chief administrative officer of the city government.

City and Government

City Government - City Council-City Manager System

County Government - County Judge-Commissioners Court

Police Personnel - 228

Fire Personnel - 166 Paid; 6-Volunteer Depts.

Just like the attitude of its citizenry, the climate in Odessa, Texas is cozy and mild. And low humidity makes for comfortable temperatures even during the warmer summer months.

Average Temperature Annual: 63.4 January 56, July 95

Normal Annual Rainfall: 14.8 inches

Total Annual Snowfall: 1.5 inches

Prevailing Winds: 11.1 mph from south, southeast

Annual Sunny Days: 85%

Odessa is one place where life imitates art. Together with many fine individuals here, the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities encourages, promotes and supports participation in the arts and humanities in Odessa and Ector County. Here are a few of the many cultural opportunities Odessa has to offer:

The Presidential Museum is a premier museum dedicated solely to the office of the President of the United States. Permanent exhibits include the Dishong collection of First Lady miniature dolls, campaign trivia, historical documents, and the John Ben Shepperd Library of the Presidents.

Elizabethan England comes to life during the Odessa Shakespeare Festival at The Globe of the Great Southwest, a recreation of Shakespeare's original Globe. The Globe also produces everything from Broadway musicals to country and Gospel revues throughout the year. In addition, the Anne Hathaway Cottage, a replica of the home William Shakespeare built for his true love, and the Shakespeare Library round out our tribute to this remarkable period of time and the Bard himself whose works remain timeless.

The Ellen Noël Museum of the Permian Basin is an independent art museum located on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The museum features rotating exhibits of historical and contemporary art, a permanent sculpture garden, and programs of art education for all ages.

Located within the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) headquarters at Midland International Airport, the American-Airpower Heritage Museum is recognized for its collection of authentic World War II artifacts, memorabilia and the world’s largest collection of original aviation nose art now housed in a new gallery. The museum boasts of 40,000 square feet of "hands-on" permanent exhibits that detail the story of World War II airpower.

The Permian Playhouse is the only community theatre in Texas that has competed and won the privilege to perform at the state Theatre Festival since 1983. It has enriched the lives of West Texas residents with music, dance, drama, suspense, tears and laughter for more than 40 years.

The Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale is the premier orchestra in the Permian Basin. The symphony, chorale and its various ensembles perform with world-renowned guest artists and conductors in concerts that feature classical, pops and educational programming throughout the year. Resident ensembles include the Lone Star Brass, the strings of the West and the West Texas Winds.

Odessa has Enterprise Zone status and provides property tax abatements, local sales tax rebates, and development fee rebates to qualified businesses locating or expanding within the designated area. This Enterprise Zone incentive is available for both local and state resources.

The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is one of Texas' strongest economic development tools in attracting new and growing business ventures. Through the program, the Department of Commerce is committed to succeed in increasing investment and creation of jobs for Texans.

Established in Texas in 1987, the Enterprise Zone Program encourages the creation of permanent jobs to induce capital investment. Enterprise Zones constitute viable options to businesses looking to start-up, expand or locate a site. Businesses located in the designated enterprise zones can qualify for tax incentives and other economic program benefits (For more information or to see if your business qualifies, call Gary Vest at 1-877-363-3772.)

Odessa is unique. The city now offers a quintuple Freeport Exemption from all taxing entities on goods in transit. Just one more reason that Odessa is the right place for your business.

This business incentive is designed to exempt some or all of a company’s inventory from property taxes. Businesses involved in the export of tangible property such as goods, wares, and merchandise may be eligible for the Freeport Exemption. For your business to be eligible, all property must be assembled, stored, manufactured or fabricated locally and then exported out of the state within 175 days.