THE COMMUNITY IS UNIQUELY BLESSED WITH DIVERSE RETAILING INCLUDING CLOTHING, HARDWARE, MAJOR APPLIANCES, AND AUTOMOBILES. IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUALLY OWNED BUSINESSES, THE AREA BOASTS OF NUMEROUS RETAIL CHAIN DEPARTMENT STORES AND NATIONALLY KNOWN FAST FOOD CHAINS AND RESTAURANTS. THE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICES ARE CONTINUOUSLY STRIVING TO PROVIDE THEIR CITIZENS WITH A STRONG AND STABLE ECONOMY.

AGRICULTURE ACCOUNTS FOR A MAJOR PORTION OF THE AREA'S ANNUAL GROSS INCOME, DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM COTTON, WHEAT, HAY, GUAR, CATTLE, HORSES, HOGS, AND POULTRY. THE 4-H PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH ARE CONSIDERED SOME OF THE BEST IN THE STATE. ANNUAL 4-H/FFA AUCTIONS DRAW ATTENTION TO THESE FUTURE FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

OIL AND GAS ARE VITAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE ENTIRE GREENBELT AREA, PRODUCING OVER $39 MILLION IN REVENUE ANNUALLY IN WILBARGER COUNTY ALONE.

THE NORTH TEXAS STATE HOSPITAL, LOCATED IN WILBARGER COUNTY, PROVIDES FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR BOTH ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS. THE NTSH, WITH AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF OVER $27 MILLION, EMPLOYS OVER 1,100 FULL TIME STAFF.

VICTORY FIELD CORRECTIONAL ACADEMY, A FACILITY OF THE TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION, UTILIZES A REHABILITATION PROGRAM BASED ON MILITARY PROTOCOL. THE FACILITY, LOCATED SIX MILES SOUTH OF VERNON, EMPLOYS APPROXIMATELY 300 STAFF AND HAS AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF $7.6 MILLION.

VERNON COLLEGE, WITH ITS MAIN CAMPUS IN VERNON AND EXTENSION CENTERS IN WICHITA FALLS AND SHEPHERD AIR FORCE BASE, PROVIDES THE COMMUNITY WITH A VITAL LINK TO HIGHER EDUCATION. VC EMPLOYS OVER 100 FACULTY AND STAFF.

THE WEST TEXAS UTILITIES COAL POWERED ELECTRICAL PLANT EMPLOYS OVER 90 PEOPLE AND SERVES AS ONE OF THE LARGEST SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRICITY IN THE SOUTHWEST.