Texarkana College Leads $5 Million Drone Production Workforce Initiative

Partnership with Texas A&M-Texarkana and Red River Army Depot aims to retrain current employees and train new students.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:03pm

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A close-up photograph of a metallic drone component or assembly tool floating on a clean, white background, dramatically lit to highlight the object's sleek, high-tech design.A precision-engineered drone component symbolizes the advanced manufacturing skills Texarkana College will cultivate to support the Red River Army Depot's military operations.Texarkana Today

Texarkana College will lead a regional workforce training partnership supported by a $5 million state grant to expand drone (sUAS) production and readiness at the Red River Army Depot. The initiative will retrain current RRAD employees while also offering credential-based training to Texarkana College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana students.

Why it matters

This grant represents a significant investment by the State of Texas to strengthen the defense industry and workforce in the Texarkana region. It reflects a broader statewide strategy to support military missions and drive economic growth in communities near military installations.

The details

As the lead workforce training provider, Texarkana College will oversee curriculum, instruction, credentialing, and continuing education in advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, aviation, mechatronics, and CNC machining. Texas A&M University-Texarkana will support applied research and testing. The training will be delivered through a mix of on-site instruction at or near the depot and college-based programs.

  • The $5 million grant was awarded through the Texas Military Preparedness Commission in March 2026.

The players

Texarkana College

A community college that will lead the workforce training component of the initiative, including curriculum, instruction, credentialing, and continuing education.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

A university that will support the initiative through applied research and testing.

Red River Army Depot (RRAD)

A military installation that will partner with Texarkana College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana to retrain current employees and offer training to students.

Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG)

The regional organization that was awarded the $5 million Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) to establish the workforce training partnership.

Texas Military Preparedness Commission

An initiative of the Texas Office of the Governor that awarded the $5 million grant as part of a broader statewide effort to strengthen military readiness and workforce development.

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What they’re saying

“This grant represents a strong investment by the State of Texas in our region. Texarkana College is proud to lead the workforce training component, ensuring both current employees and future students are prepared for high-skill careers that support critical defense operations.”

— Dr. Jason Smith, President of Texarkana College

“The DEAAG project is a joint effort between Texarkana College and Texas A&M University–Texarkana to retrain existing Red River Army Depot employees while also offering enrollable, credential-based training to TC and TAMUT students, delivered through a mix of on-site Depot training and college-based facilities.”

— Thomas Holt, Executive Director of Workforce Training for Texarkana College

What’s next

The workforce training programs are expected to begin implementation in the coming months as Texarkana College, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and the Red River Army Depot work to develop the curriculum and logistics for the on-site and college-based training.

The takeaway

This initiative represents a significant investment by the State of Texas to strengthen the defense industry workforce in the Texarkana region, reflecting a broader statewide strategy to support military readiness and drive economic growth in communities near military installations.