An exceptional location and tremendous access perfectly positions this former military base property to offer opportunity for new start companies or those looking to expand or relocate. Forecasts of strong economic growth for the region are largely due in part to the strategic location of the Texarkana/New Boston area.
Situated on Hwy. 82 and only 1/4 mile off Interstate 30 and 17 miles west of Texarkana with it's regional airport, the site is proving to be of great interest to those companies seeking a somewhat rural environment while maintaining the conveniences of nearby big city services. Dallas and Little Rock are both within a manageable driving distance. Nearby Oklahoma and Louisiana create a unique four-states crossroads positioning. All Texas routes identified as NAFTA corridors pass through the Texarkana area, which is considered the geographic center of North America, and offer a primary route from Canada to Mexico.
Transportation
Good location leads to good transportation and shipping options for local business. Red River Commerce Park has access to forty-five private and public motor freight carriers to sevice the area. Texas North Eastern Railroad Service is available to the site with switching to Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern. Texarkana's commercial airport is only 20 minutes away, and offers private storage, maintenance and a fixed base operation. Red River navigation projects and efforts toward waterways improvement will open up nearby ports and add to the excitement of a hub for manufacturing, storage, and shipping in our area.
Labor force requirements can be met from the draw of both skilled and unskilled labor within a 35-mile radius of the Texarkana and New Boston area. Population figures from 2000 show Bowie County at 89,306 and Miller County at 40,443. The 129,700 total is a good size employee base for many potential employers. In addition, local businesses and education systems work together to identify skills and training that need to be emphasized in the school system. Employee training assistance programs may also be available to new companies.
In 2005 the recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission became law. As a result, all of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant was closed and portions of Red River Army Depot were realigned. Some of the land on Red River and all of the land and improvements on Lone Star became surplus to the government's needs. What happens to these lands is a decision the Army makes, but they must grant broad deference to the redevelopment plans of the approved local redevelopment authority.
The Red River Redevelopment Authority (RRRA), owner of the Red River Commerce Park, is the approved local redevelopment authority for the surplus property at Red River and Lone Star. As such, the RRRA is required to allow certain public interest groups and agencies to petition to acquire the property and then adopt a comprehensive reuse plan that takes into consideration the appropriate future use of the property and that of certain lawful public interests. Upon completion of the process, the reuse plan and a report are submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to the Department of the Army. HUD must approve the submission before the Army can dispose of the property.
Once this process is complete and certain environmental studies are done, the Army can complete its "disposal plan". The RRRA, under the law, is permitted to submit an application to the Army to acquire some or all of the property for the purpose of economic development and job creation. Using this approach, the RRRA can purchase the property for less than market value as long as it reinvests the proceeds from sales and leasing into infrastructure, operations and other redevelopment purposes. The RRRA has drafted an initial letter requesting the Army to consider this approach.
Links to the RRRA reuse plan, the HUD submission and a letter to the Army requesting the property are found below. The RRRA has recieved many valuable comments and questions during the process and has assembled responses to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). A link to this document is also below.
Official Public Information Requests must be submitted in writing to :
Public Information Officer Red River Redevelopment Authority 107 Chapel Lane New Boston, TX 75570
