Facility to serve as emergency response training hub and staging area
Texas A&M Forest Service leadership, joined by officials from The Texas A&M University System and local community leaders, officially broke ground on a new regional office in McGregor.
The planned facility will provide the infrastructure necessary to meet the growing demands of wildfire response in Texas.
“This groundbreaking is more than just the start of a construction project; it is the physical manifestation of our commitment to protecting Texas,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service director. “By modernizing our infrastructure, we are ensuring our personnel have the tools they need to be people-focused and mission-driven. This facility will allow us to pivot faster from long-term land stewardship to high-stakes emergency response when needed.”
The project is part of a broader capital investment by the Texas A&M System to help provide education, conduct research and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond.
“We are proud to help Texas A&M Forest Service improve services, reduce costs, enhance efficiency and provide specialized, secure infrastructure,” said Texas A&M System Regent James “Randy” Brooks.
Permanent roots for regional support
Use of the facility is intended to enhance the state’s readiness for wildfire and other natural disasters. But due to the new building’s size and location, it will also serve as a training hub, meeting space and staging area for incoming emergency responders and their equipment.
The $2.1 million, 5,500-square-foot, single-story building will be built on 13 acres, with room for current operations and future expansion.
“We will continue to face challenges conserving forests and natural resources, and protecting lives and property,” Davis said. “Putting down more permanent roots in this community represents public accountability and resource stewardship that our past personnel helped build and our current teams will carry forward.”
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the facility reaching full operational capacity shortly thereafter.
For more information on Texas A&M Forest Service and the Conserve, Protect, Lead mission, please visit tfsweb.tamu.edu.