Odessa, Texas - Economy

Economy

Though the economy is primarily driven by the area's oil industry, new economic steps are currently being taken to ensure the city's existence after oil is no longer abundant in the area. Odessa is also a stop on—and a supporter of—the La Entrada al Pacifico trade corridor. In 2003, Family Dollar Corporation opened its eighth distribution center in Odessa's new industrial business park. Coca Cola built a new distribution center in Odessa in early 2007. Growth in construction of new retail in the city's northeast side has increased in recent years, with three new shopping centers currently planned and one in the construction phase. Many hotels have also been planned, with some in the completion phase. In November 2007, the city approved a contract with a company that develops armaments for US Army helicopters to begin operations in Odessa.

Odessa has also taken steps to diversify the energy it provides. A new wind farm has been constructed in northern Ector County. A new clean coal plant has also been announced for a site previously entered in the Futuregen bidding. The new plant will be run by Summit Power and will be located near Penwell. This new plant could lead to the creation of 8,000 jobs to the area. There are also plans for a nuclear power plant to be run in conjunction with the nuclear engineering department at UTPB, called HT3R, or the "High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor". This reactor is planned to be near Andrews. Prospective developers of a solar collector in the area also have visited recently.

The Ector County Coliseum is host to the Permian Basin International Oil Show on every even-numbered year.

Odessa has one regional enclosed mall (Music City Mall), which includes Dillards, JC Penney, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, an indoor ice skating rink, and a television station. Additionally, more than 100 specialty retailers are located in the mall.