Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant funding helps bring equipment online to
support tenants, Red River Army Depot, and Texarkana Region
Texarkana, USA (November 19, 2025) – TexAmericas Center, which owns and operates the 5th ranked industrial park and is one of the largest mixed-use industrial parks in the United States, commissioned two locomotives that expand on‑site switching, transload, and yard capabilities across its campus. The added power increases capacity and elevates safety for crews.
For tenants, that means faster turns, more predictable service, and quicker Speed-to-Market resulting in Speed-to-Profit. For the four-state regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, it strengthens the Texarkana logistics hub, supports Red River Army Depot and area manufacturers, and helps attract new investment and jobs.
The locomotives, EMD GP38‑2 models rated at 2,000 horsepower each, are part of a $3.15 million investment to increase internal capacity, improve car staging and spotting reliability, enhance operational flexibility, and elevate day‑to‑day safety for employees and contractors.
As a designated Union Pacific Focus Site, TexAmericas Center is leveraging the added locomotive power to cut bottlenecks, lower shipping costs, reduce delivery times, and connect tenants to broader markets, accelerating Speed-to-Profit and making the four-state region more competitive for investment and jobs.
“This is about giving businesses the service they need to move faster,” said Scott Norton, CEO and executive director of TexAmericas Center. “With added power and control on our own footprint, we can switch cars more efficiently, keep people safer on the ground, and help companies stay on schedule.”
The project was supported by a $1.5 million Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. The state support helped bring the equipment online on an expedited schedule and strengthens logistics for its tenants including those supporting the Red River Army Depot.
“We are grateful for the Commission’s support,” said Norton. “Their investment helped us turn plans into action and deliver real-world reliability for the defense supply chain and for the companies that put people to work here.”
Built for dependable daily service, both units were upgraded to Tier Zero Plus emissions standards and equipped with Hot Start technology to reduce idle time and fuel burn. Additional enhancements include newer‑generation traction motors for improved tractive effort, an FRA‑approved event data recorder, upgraded lighting and visibility for public safety, and climate controls for operator comfort that were not available on prior locomotives.
“This investment is about performance you can feel on the ground. We stage and spot with more precision, cut idle time, and keep people out of harm’s way. That means tighter cycle times and a more dependable rail experience for every shipper on our campus,” said Norton.
The ceremony on the East Campus included brief remarks, a ceremonial bottle break, and a horn salute. Speakers and special guests included leadership from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and Red River Army Depot, along with regional and state officials. Photo opportunities and media interviews followed the commissioning.
The milestone aligns with broader rail expansion underway at TexAmericas Center, including new track on the south end of East Campus, additional spurs, and sit yards designed to increase capacity and give tenants more choice.
To learn more about TexAmericas Center, head to: https://texamericascenter.com/.
About TexAmericas Center
Located on the Texas side of the Texarkana metropolitan area, TexAmericas Center owns and operates a premier industrial park, which is one of the largest mixed-use industrial parks in the United States. With roughly 12,000 development-ready acres of land and approximately 3.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial product, TexAmericas Center services four states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). As the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over all development processes on the property, TexAmericas Center helps companies save 12 to 18 months of public review time, leading to faster Speed-To-Occupancy.
For six consecutive years, Business Facilities magazine has ranked TexAmericas Center among the top 10 industrial parks in the country, most recently ranked No. 5 in 2025. Tenants appreciate an impressive transportation corridor that uses multiple state highways, interstates, air freight, and rail lines to disperse from a central U.S. location. Additionally, Expansion Solutions has recognized TexAmericas Center’s QSP (Qualified Site Program) as the No. 1 certified site program in the Southern U.S.
Seven rail lines converge on the Texarkana region and TexAmericas Center hosts an on-site 350-car rail yard and has over 30-miles of rail running through its properties. TAC Rail services include transload as well as rail car storage and spotting. TexAmericas Center has also been added to Union Pacific’s Focus Sites Program, becoming one of only 32 sites in the U.S. to receive this prestigious designation.
TexAmericas Center also offers third-party logistics (3PL) services to assist companies with inventory management, warehousing, and fulfillment needs. Combining a “Flex Lease” with 3PL services gives companies seeking to expand or make first-time investment in the region an easier path to start operations.
The organization completed construction on a 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art speculative building in 2021; the building was sold in 2022. In total, the organization has built and transacted over 240,000 sq. ft. in three spec projects. TexAmericas Center has the capability to lease, build-to-suit, or facilitate greenfield owner-constructed projects in a timely, efficient manner.
All of TexAmericas Center’s property is a designated US Opportunity Zone, New Market Tax Credit Census Tract, EB5 – Immigration through Investment area, Foreign Trade Zone (#258), and a Texas Enterprise Zone. TexAmericas Center has the operating capabilities of a municipality but functions like a traditional real estate development company, offering customized real estate, logistics, incentive and financing solutions. For more information about TexAmericas Center, visit TexAmericasCenter.com.