Building What's Next

Through innovation and partnerships, TexAmericas Center is building a stronger future for the region
By Phoebe Warren

Executive director and ceo scott norton. photo by shane darby

From a landscape once defined by military operations, TexAmericas Center is helping shape a new chapter for the Texarkana region. Under the leadership of Scott Norton, executive director and CEO at TexAmericas Center, the organization is steadily transforming historic ground into a vessel for economic growth.

TexAmericas Center operates as a local redevelopment authority and oversees one of the largest advanced manufacturing, logistics, and rail-focused industrial parks in the country. With approximately 12,000 developable acres and 3.5 million square feet of industrial and commercial space, the site is built for momentum. Companies can move from idea to operation with efficiency, whether that means stepping into an existing facility, tapping into rail and logistics infrastructure, or working through a single point of contact that simplifies the entire process.

TexAmericas Center’s main office. photo by shane darby

The story of this property stretches back decades. In 1939, the federal government acquired the land that would become home to the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) and the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant (LSAAP). By 1942, the facilities were fully operational and, at their peak, employed nearly 30,000 civilians in support of the nation’s defense efforts. In 1998, local leadership formed the Red River Redevelopment Authority to guide the long-term transformation of the property. That effort evolved into TexAmericas Center in 2010, with a clear and steady mission: to bring the property back to life in a way that would create quality jobs, attract new investment, and strengthen the regional economy for generations to come.

Today, that vision is gaining real traction. Over the past five years, TexAmericas Center has seen significant growth, reaching a record 47 companies on-site in 2023. Employment has climbed from 650 to more than 1,500 jobs, a 136% increase that reflects both momentum and confidence in the site.

TexAmericas Center has created a service-oriented, knowledgeable staff with dedicated resources to support the establishment or expansion of businesses and quality jobs within the Texarkana region. photo by shane darby

A third-party logistics operation launched in 2020 now provides on-site support for warehousing, inventory management, fulfillment, and light manufacturing. In 2021, a 150,000-square-foot speculative building was completed and later sold, reinforcing demand for move-in ready industrial space. Continued investments followed, including the acquisition of rail service operations in 2022 and recognition as Union Pacific’s largest focus site in 2024. In 2025, two locomotives were commissioned through a $3.15 million investment to improve switching, staging, safety, and day-to-day reliability for tenants and rail users on campus. In the same year, EnergyX launched a $20 million-plus demonstration lithium processing test project at the site.

In 2024, TexAmericas Center became Union Pacific’s largest focus site. Focus sites are large-scale, rail-served development areas pre-approved for industrial facilities. photo by shane darby

TexAmericas Center is currently advancing more than a dozen active and prospective projects across a wide range of industries, from advanced manufacturing and energy to logistics, data centers, and defense-related operations. Some of these projects will bring new companies to the region, while others will support the growth of existing tenants. 

Texarkana College first established its presence at TexAmericas Center in 2011. The training facility now serves 450–500 students annually, offering programs in welding, diesel technology, OSHA training, forklift certification, and specialized technical training for military and automotive industry operations. photo by shane darby

Rowe Casa Organics purchased an existing 150,000-square-foot building in 2025. photo by shane darby

Looking ahead, the focus remains on steady, strategic growth. Continued site development, infrastructure investment, and strong partnerships are all part of the path forward. With annual payroll on site now exceeding $95 million, the economic impact is already being felt across the region. 

These army legacy buildings meet several industrial needs. In one, a company creates the electric batteries for Yard Dogs—specialized, compact semi-tractors used exclusively to move trailers within port warehouses or distribution centers. photo by shane darby

Equally important is the organization’s commitment to its people. This is clear through its collaboration with Texarkana College and the U.S. Army, which contributed to the creation of Texarkana College at TexAmericas Center (TC@TAC). This modern technical and educational facility is intended to meet the needs of employees at Red River Army Depot, the automotive manufacturing sector, and the local community. TexAmericas Center also maintains ties with Texas A&M University–Texarkana, the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, AR-TX REDI, and local chambers in Texarkana and New Boston.

COIM USA, a leading specialty chemical manufacturer, acquired a 20-acre site featuring a 25,000-square-foot, rail-served facility on the campus.  photo by shane darby

Quail Tools, located on the TexAmericas campus, is a leading rental provider of mechanical devices for oil and gas rigs. photo by shane darby

TexAmericas Center is more than an industrial park. It is a long-term investment in the region’s future. As its footprint and impact continue to grow, so does its role in shaping what comes next for Texarkana.