Industry With its diversified economy, employment opportunities are plentiful in Vernon. The city is home to a number of major industries, as well as several state agencies. Tyson Foods, Inc., This industry of Vernon since 1922 and has grown from a small family business to now being a part of the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork. The Vernon Tyson facility is the largest bacon processor in the southwest United States employing more than 700 team members North Texas State Hospital, Vernon Campus is the only forensic mental health facility in Texas. With separate treatment programs for both adult and juvenile patients, the hospital employs more than 1,100 people. The Texas Youth Commission's Victory Field Military Academy is a facility for juvenile offenders. The academy has a work force of more than 300 employees. The Texas A&M Research and Extension Center is the site of major agricultural research projects and headquarters for Extension Service programs for the 25-county Rolling Plains District of Texas. Approximately 50 people are currently employed at the center. Rhodia is a sprawling facility for processing guar products used for a variety of purposes in industry and manufacturing. The plant, which has operated in Vernon for more than 25 years, currently employs some 130 persons. West Texas Utilities, a division of AEP, Inc. has a coal-fired generating plant located at Oklaunion near Vernon. With its plant, as well as the staff of WTU's local office in Vernon, the company provides jobs for some 114 residents. Brantly Helicopter is one of Vernon's newest industries. The plant, located at Wilbarger County Airport, is certified by the FAA to produce the Brantly B2B, a two-seater helicopter, as well as a larger version. Brantly helicopters are being marketed worldwide. The plant currently employs15 persons. Other industries include: Cotton compressing and delinting, livestock, feeds, seed breeding and processing, metal fabrication, cattle feeding, food processing, seed conditioning and cleaning, metal productions, and oil and gas. Detailed information about employment opportunities in Vernon, as well as data about Vernon's resources for industries and businesses considering relocation, may be obtained by contacting the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce at 552-2564 or the Business Development Corporation of Vernon at 552-6502