The Friona Independent School District has an operational budget over 7 million dollars and employs 215 people.  The system includes a Kindergarten/Primary,  Elementary,  Junior High and  High School .

Friona is a Class 2A school with approximately 1215 students.  School colors are red & white and the mascot is a Chieftain.  Friona students excel in all areas of education including academics, athletics,  vocational training and the fine arts.

Four universities are within commuting distance of Friona. 

• West Texas A&M  (Canyon)
• Texas Tech (Lubbock)
• Wayland Baptist (Plainview)
  Wayland Baptist (Amarillo Campus)
  Wayland Baptist (Clovis, NM Campus)
• Eastern New Mexico (Portales, NM)
• Clovis Community College (Clovis, NM)
  Amarillo College (Amarillo)
  Amarillo College (Hereford Campus)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

In 1989, an expansion project added 18 beds to the existing 65 and enlarged the dining area, the chapel, and the storage capacity. A larger lobby with a protected entrance was also added to the front of the building, Prairie Acres is located just four blocks from the local hospital and is right scross the street from the Senior Citizens' Center.

Friona is described as "The Economic Heartbeat of Parmer County."  Located in the center of the county and on the main line of the BNSF Railroad and a major highway connecting the East Coast to the West Coast, Friona is, indeed the center of business activity in this area.  Businesses in our "Friendly, Global Hometown" ship products and services regionally and globally in all directions.

Thr Friona Chamber of Commerce and  Agriculture is in business to promote all aspects of the community of  Friona.  Our goal is to support, maintain and  grow the businesses in our area.  Men and women from all walks of life serve on the Board of Directors of the Chamber.  The five committees of the friona Chamber work to promote all areas of life in a small community.--Retail Development, Chamber Development, Community Development.  Agriculture Development and Legislative Affairs.  Almost every aspect of life in Friona is touched by the persons serving on these chamber committees.

As illustrated throughout this website, the quality of life in Friona is demonstrated through our excellent school system, quality medical facilities, diversity of church and civic organizations, and strong business community.

The Friona area leads the nation in agriculture production.  Farming and feedyards for beef cattle are core industries with other agriculture related ventures supporting these businesses.  Within a 50 mile radius of Friona , there are more cattle on feed than in any other location in the world.

The meat packing plant in Friona has been in operation for 34 years and is one of the largest plants in this industry. The abundance of feedyards in the area which supply beef to the plant has contributed to several large expansions of this plant through the years. Other businesses closely aligned with the cattle industry include a cold storage company, feed manufacturing, and animal health supplies.

Weather conditions and good underground water contributed to the development of the Friona area as a prime location for farming.  Irrigation has changed through the years from labor intensive ditch irrigation to the more automated circle units with sprinklers.  In the past several years, various conditions have brought about a return to more dry land farming and production of more crops to support the cattle industry.  Businesses most closely related to farming include grain storage facilities, farm equipment companies, and trucking companies.  expansion in this area includes a 110 car shuttle train which will enhance the shipment of grain in this area.

The Dairy Industry has just begun to grow in the Friona area.  Several dairies are in operation which  provide more markets for products, the dairies also provide employment for citizens of Friona and Parmer County.

Although many of the larger industries in and around Friona are tied to agriculture, the diversity provided by these businesses provides a climate for enterpreneurs who are interested in the benefits of living in a small community and doing business with neighbors.

Friona provides lodging facilities for a night or an extended visit.  Friona Inn provides 25 rooms for visitors and temporary workers. While enjoying the local hospitality, take time to enjoy a satisfying meal at one of the local restaurants - from hamburges to steaks to fajitas to enchiladas. The fare in the local restaurants offers something for everyone.

Enjoy the competition at one of several tournaments held at the local gold course. If golf is not your game, find a partner and have a competitve tennis match and top it off with a jog around the track before stopping for a snow cone, soft drink or a burger on the way home. Friona also has a municipal swimming pool and three baseball parks.

Major winter skiing is within easy driving distance of Friona. There are several lakes in the area for boating, fishing and other water sports.  There is also a competitive amateur bass fishing tour in New Mexico and tournaments for the avid bass angler along with walleye, smallmouth and other gamefish angling. The beautiful Palo Duro State Park is only 70 miles away where you can sightsee, hike and enjoy the musical drama "Texas".

Friona, the largest town in Parmer county, is located on the crossroads of Highway 60.  Highway 214 Farm to Market 2397 and Farm to Market 1731.  The region that encompasses Friona is  known as the " Texas  Panhandle" or the "High Plains".

Friona has a population of 3,854 and an altitude of 4,100 feet.  The average annual rainfall is 17.5"  and the average snowfall is 14"  per year. The growing season is approximately 183 days.

The average temperature is 59 degrees with a January average of  38  degrees and a July average of  95 degrees.  The temperature, on average, exceeds 90 degrees about 20 days per year.   For the most part, Friona enjoys low to moderate humidity.

Transportation and shipping options include the BNSF railroad, a municipal airport, a bus service, several motor freight carriers, UPS and FedEx.

Friona utilizes an aldermanic type of goverment which includes 5 city council members, a mayor, city manager.  Along with a police department, the city has a volunteer fire department and an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) association.  Emergency "911" service for the county is dispatched from the Friona Police Department.

The Texas Department of Public Safety.  Texas Driver's License Deparment.  Parmer County Sheriff's Department and Parmer County all have offices in Friona.

Community

Community spirit is what makes a small town unique.  Neighbors joining neighbors in city-wide activities and celebrations brings everyone closer together.

Many of these events are conducted at the Community Center or in the City Park.  Maize Days, the 4th of July , Livestock Shows,  Little Miss/Miss Friona Pageants, and Christmas are just a few of the occasions that all can enjoy together.

Friona and Parmer County

The town of Friona, so named from the Frio Draw that runs south of town, was established in 1906.  It was originally a shipping point for the Capital Syndicate who named it Frio, but when a post office was granted in 1907 its name was changed to Friona.

The George G. Wright Land Co. had taken options on area lands and initiated a colonization project: they promised to the prospective buyers a fertile land and healthful climate.  In spite of the earlier drawbacks of prairie fires and drought the coming of windmills and irrigation wells in Friona and surrounding area has fulfilled the dreams of a fertile land and healthy climate.

Parmer County, which borders New Mexico on its western side, was created in 1876 from Bexar District and organized in 1907.   It is named for Martin Parmer, a signer of Texas Declaration of Independence.

It has not been much over a century since the Panhandle area was home mainly to the Indians and the New Mexican sheepherders.  In 1875 the last great war chief of the Commanches surrendered the western part of the Panhandle that became the famous XIT ranch which led eventually to the emigration of people to develop the land.

Friona has led in developing the area to its best potential.  There have been many changes since 1906 but the tradition of providing the best in education, culture, churches, recreation, farming, ranching, business and any other opportunity of improving the lives of its inhabitants has never changed.

Friona Public Library was established in 1963 as a project of the Modern Study Club and other interested citizens of the community.  It began with a core reference collection of 150 books provided by the Texas State Library and as many donated books as the members could gather together .  In fact the library's first home was in the Women's Federated Clubhouse.

In 1968 the library became part of the City of Friona and was moved to the Old Syndicate Hotel Building south of the City Park.  Our Friends of the Library group was chartered that same year.

In 1972, the library became a charter member of the Texas Panhandle Library System by meeting the criteria of having at least 10,000 volumes and being open to the public at least 20 hours per week.

In 1982 with continued public and grant support the building at our current location of 109 W. 7th was constructed. Most recently in April 2000 the library was renovated and expanded to include over 6,000 square feet of library space.

In 1987 the library became a participant in the Harrington Library Consortium, a multii-type library electronic network made up of over 50 Panhandle Libraries and Branches.

Friona Public Library currently has over 30,000 volumes and a fulltime staff of 3 and 1 part-time employee.  It is open 45 hours per week from 9 to 6 Monday through Friday.  With local touch global reach our library welcomes you!

As pioneer towns were established, the first permanent  structure to be built was a house of worship.  Friona offers the opportunity for worship in one of its twelve churches.  These communities of faith give residents and visitors a chance to experience worship in a wide variety of styles.

Volunteerism may be expressed in may ways in Friona.  Several active civic organizations support special projects and the community by participating in several community-wide events throughout the year.

The Chamber of Commerce coordinates several community-wide celebrations throughout the year including the annual Maize Days event which offers a variety of activities from the Miss Friona Pageant to the Parade and all types of food vendors and games.  Independence Day brings a celebration in the Park. 

In 2007 Friona was officially designated the "Cheeseburger Capital of Texas", along with that designation came the Cheeseburger Cook-off and Festival, which is held on the third Saturday in July.  This year 2009 it will be held on July 18, at the Friona City Park at 700 Main Street.  For more information please call the chamber at 860/250/3491,or fedc@wtrt.net or www.frionachamber.com.