Amarillo Small Business Resources: Where to Get Help, Funding & Advice

By Matt Herzberger · Updated October 2026

Starting or growing a business in Amarillo? You don't have to figure it out alone. The Texas Panhandle has free advisors, funding programs, mentors, and business groups, but they're spread across different organizations, and it's not always clear who does what.

This guide sorts them by what you need. Every organization listed was checked in October 2026; programs change, so confirm details on each organization's website.

Quick guide: who to call for what

If you need…	Start here
Free one-on-one business advice	America's SBDC at WTAMU
A business plan or loan help	America's SBDC at WTAMU
Coaching or an incubator program	WT Enterprise Center
Funding for a growing company	Amarillo EDC · SBA West Texas District Office
A mentor	SCORE (virtual) · WT Enterprise Center
Networking and customers	Amarillo Chamber · Hispanic Chamber · AABCC
Leadership development if you're an emerging professional	Elevate Amarillo
Hiring or training staff	Workforce Solutions Panhandle
Research, templates, market data	Amarillo Public Library
Registering and permits in Texas	Governor's Small Business Resource Portal

Free advice and business planning

America's Small Business Development Center at WTAMU

The first call for most new businesses. The SBDC offers no-cost one-on-one consulting and low-cost training for start-ups and existing businesses: business plans, market research, and help preparing for a loan. It's part of West Texas A&M University's Engler College of Business, funded by the State of Texas and the U.S. Small Business Administration, and based in the WT Enterprise Center on N. Western St. smallbusinessdevelopmentcenter.com

WT Enterprise Center

Amarillo's business incubator since 2001, run by West Texas A&M. It offers certified business coaches, the Growth Academy (a cohort-based incubation program), incubator space, commercial kitchens, and maker and manufacturing space, which is useful if your business makes a physical product. wtenterprisecenter.com

SCORE

SCORE's volunteer mentors, many of them retired business owners and executives, give free, confidential mentoring. The Panhandle is served virtually by SCORE's Dallas chapter; request a mentor online. score.org

Funding and incentives

Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

Funded by a half-cent sales tax, the AEDC offers incentives for companies creating jobs in Amarillo, plus the Amarillo Enterprize Challenge: a $500,000 business plan competition where primary businesses can receive up to $100,000 as a five-year forgivable loan. Its entrepreneur page is also a good directory of local programs. amarilloedc.com

U.S. Small Business Administration (West Texas District Office)

The SBA's Lubbock office covers the Panhandle and works through local lenders on SBA 7(a), 504, and microloan programs. The SBDC can help you prepare an application. sba.gov/district/west-texas

Before you borrow: talk to the SBDC first. They'll help you work out whether you need a loan at all, and how much.

Networking and finding customers

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1926, the Chamber runs regular networking events and connects members with the wider business community. amarillo-chamber.org

Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Promotes economic and educational opportunity, with an emphasis on Hispanic- and minority-owned businesses, through education, networking, and resources. amarillohcc.com

Amarillo Area Black Chamber of Commerce (AABCC)

A networking hub for minority business owners in Amarillo and the Panhandle, with workshops, mentoring, leadership development, and funding consultation. aabcc.org

Elevate Amarillo

If you're an emerging leader rather than an established one, this is worth a separate look from the Chambers above. Elevate Amarillo connects younger and emerging professionals (roughly 20s to 40s) with established leaders through mentorship, leadership development, and community service, for a $150 annual membership. It's where Union Hall's owner Matt went to get plugged into Amarillo's business community early on, alongside WT Enterprise Center events. elevateamarillo.org

New to town? See our guide to networking in Amarillo.

Hiring and training

Workforce Solutions Panhandle

Part of the Texas Workforce Commission network, serving 26 Panhandle counties. It helps employers recruit, hire, train, and retain workers, and provides labor market and labor law information. wspanhandle.com

Research and do-it-yourself tools

Amarillo Public Library

Free with a library card: the library's Business & Career guides include Gale Business: Entrepreneurship, with sample business plans and guidance on finance, marketing, and taxes, plus online learning platforms for business skills. guides.amarillolibrary.org/business

Texas Governor's Small Business Resource Portal

Answer a few questions and get a customized list of state resources, licenses, and permits for your business. The Governor's office also publishes a free Small Business Handbook. gov.texas.gov/business

A place to work while you build

Many new businesses start at the kitchen table, until client calls, a need for focus, or a business address push them out. The Amarillo EDC lists Union Hall among the city's places for entrepreneurs to work, and it's what we built it for: a coworking membership from $99/month, private offices when you're ready for a door that locks, and a real Amarillo business address if you need one for your LLC paperwork.

From experience: When Matt, Union Hall's owner, was first getting plugged into Amarillo's business community, he didn't start online — he started by showing up: events at the WT Enterprise Center and the Chamber, and Elevate Amarillo for connecting with other emerging leaders. That's still the fastest way in. Pair it with the practical side: talk to the SBDC before you spend money, and don't sign a multi-year lease until you know how much space you really need.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get free business advice in Amarillo?

America's SBDC at WTAMU offers no-cost one-on-one consulting for new and existing businesses. SCORE offers free volunteer mentoring online.

Are there grants or funding for small businesses in Amarillo?

The Amarillo EDC runs the Enterprize Challenge (up to $100,000 as a forgivable loan for primary businesses) and job-creation incentives, and SBA loan programs are available through local lenders. The SBDC can help you find the right fit.

How do I register a business in Texas?

The Texas Governor's Small Business Resource Portal gives you a customized checklist of registrations, licenses and permits. The SBDC can walk you through it.

Where can I network with other business owners in Amarillo?

The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Amarillo Area Black Chamber of Commerce all host regular events.

Is there a group for younger or emerging professionals specifically?

Yes — Elevate Amarillo focuses on leadership development and mentorship for emerging professionals, roughly ages 20 to 40.

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About the author: Matt Herzberger owns Union Hall Workspace in Amarillo and has worked remotely for almost 13 years.