Texas A&M Receives 672 Acres for Killeen Campus from Fort Hood in Washington Transfer Ceremony

Texas A&M University was officially awarded 662 acres of land to use for a new Texas A&M – Central Texas Killeen campus from Fort Hood this morning during a transfer ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

Texas A&M Chancellor Mike McKinney received the transfer from Army Secretary Pete Geren in a news conference in the U.S. Capitol Building with U.S. Representatives John Carter (R-Round Rock) and Chet Edwards.  Edwards and Carter were instrumental in pushing the transfer through the congressional approval process.   

Under the agreement, Texas A&M will receive the land in exchange for an in-kind payment of $1.7 million worth of class space services to Fort Hood, under which Texas A&M will allow the Army to use between 10,000-15,000 square feet of class space over a 17-year period. 

 “Thanks to the great coordination between Texas A&M and Fort Hood, we have provided a real benefit for both, and for all of Central Texas through the innovative use of this acreage," says Carter.  "This whole process provides a great example of how diverse government entities can creatively partner to multiply the benefits of their assets for the public good." 

“This is an important day for Central Texas that will invest in our economy, improve educational opportunities, and make a significant difference in the lives of troops and their families,” said Edwards, Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. “It has been a privilege to work with Congressman Carter, Secretary Geren, and Chancellor McKinney on such an important project.”

Representatives Edwards and Carter supported the provision to authorize the land transfer from Fort Hood to Texas A&M University System in the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization bill signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 28, 2004.  Today’s signing ceremony marks the completion of the process. 

Both Carter and Edwards serve on the influential Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, and have swapped several geographic areas due to redistricting over recent years, leading to close coordination between the two congressional offices on the project.  Edwards represented Fort Hood from 1991 to 2004, and currently represents Texas A&M University in College Station.  Carter currently represents Fort Hood and represented Texas A&M University until 2004.