Housing Texarkana
Texarkana is poised for future growth. Looking ahead, community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention and planning. As new businesses move in, university enrollment climbs, and infrastructure improves, the pressure is building to provide more housing, particularly affordable homes, for working families and young professionals.
The national housing market has faced considerable challenges over the past few years, and Texarkana has not been immune. Rising interest rates have sidelined potential homebuyers. Higher construction costs, driven by labor shortages, materials pricing, and insurance hikes, have made new housing harder to build and more expensive to purchase. Compounding the issue are infrastructure limitations, particularly in areas like west Texarkana, where utility expansions have not kept pace with growth. Many new subdivisions are forced to rely on larger lots with wells and septic systems. This limitation increases sprawl and limits density, making future utility extensions more difficult and costly for future developments.
Despite these headwinds, the region is well-positioned for long-term success. TexAmericas Center and AR-TX REDI continue to attract high-profile industrial prospects.
When employees can live where they work, everything improves. Our economy, our schools, and our quality of life and all benefit. - Dr. Robin Hickerson, President & CEO, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce
The Texarkana Regional Airport has opened a new terminal, secured significant grant funding, and launched an aviation school. These moves position the airport as a regional hub for service and industry. Local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Nash Industrial Development Corporation, and both the New Boston and Hooks Special Industrial Development Corporations, remain actively involved in attracting new investment to the region. Recent wins include the Amazon distribution facility, Texarkana Aluminum’s expansion, a new asphalt plant, and potential growth tied to lithium exploration.
Higher education is also gaining momentum. Texas A&M University-Texarkana expects enrollment to double over the next five years, surpassing 5,000 students. While the university is expanding on-campus housing, demand for off-campus living will continue to grow among students, faculty, and the broader workforce being trained through local institutions. This pressure on housing inventory points to a need for proactive solutions.
Recognizing the challenge, the City of Texarkana, Texas, has partnered with developers and community organizations to pursue strategies that will increase housing supply. These include zoning and code revisions, infrastructure support, utility incentives, and residential building permit fee waivers. Streamlining the development and inspection process with weekly predevelopment and infrastructure team meetings with developers is also a key step toward encouraging timely housing starts.
“We recognize that solving the workforce housing shortage is key to sustaining our regional economic growth,” said Texarkana, Texas, Mayor Bob Bruggeman. “We’re committed to solutions that make it easier for young families and skilled workers to put down roots here.”
The Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce has made housing a top priority in its workforce planning and business retention strategies. The Chamber recently commissioned a third-party study with the Next Move Group to provide data on housing needs and development opportunities across the region. The study is being funded in part by several local organizations, including TexAmericas Center, and will guide future planning efforts.
“Texarkana is open for business, and we need to be open for residents, too,” said Dr. Robin Hickerson, President and CEO of the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce. “When employees can live where they work, everything improves. Our economy, our schools, and our quality of life all benefit.”
Scott Norton, Executive Director of TexAmericas Center, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the role of housing in successful business recruitment. “The Texarkana region has historically worked together to find the next big opportunity and solve the next big challenge, and addressing housing is an opportunity and challenge we can meet. Housing is top of mind for the employers we are trying to attract. Ensuring we can meet the housing needs of current and future employees is a vital part of our regional strategy.”
Toni Lindsey, Regional Economic Director of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG), underscored the importance of housing not just in Texarkana, but across the broader region. “As new businesses move into the ATCOG 10-county region and plans for future growth continue, more housing, both single-family and apartments, throughout the region is vitally important.”
While planning and policy are critical, housing development requires boots on the ground. Red Lick Ranch, a new subdivision just west of Texarkana, reflects the kind of locally driven initiative that will help meet the challenge. A group of young contractors and developers, many of them lifelong residents, has begun construction in the area, bringing energy and long-term commitment to the project. It is an example of the next generation stepping up to help meet Texarkana’s growing needs.
As new projects take shape and the region continues to expand, collaboration among city leaders, economic development organizations, and the building community will be key. The Texarkana area is growing, and with the right strategies in place, it will grow in the right direction.
Shaping a Subdivision
A new neighborhood is taking shape in the Red Lick School District. The development is the result of collaboration between the Batte family and other local builders, each bringing their own expertise to the table.
“In 2019 we bought property west of Texarkana to dig materials for the Arkansas Middle School construction project. We knew families would want land in the Red Lick School District, so when the school was finished, we converted the dirt pit into a lake, built streets, and now have 37 homes planned.”
—Cleve Batte, III
“Our guys just finished putting asphalt on Ranch Road and King Road, so we are ready to go. We like working with friends, so we invited Collin Kuhn to start a model home. He liked the neighborhood so much, he’s already started a second home.”
—JC Cowart
“This subdivision is a great layout, the city has been easy to work with, and we all know how good the Red Lick schools are. This area is really going to blossom.”
—Collin Kuhn
For some, Red Lick Ranch is more than a project—it’s a place to put down roots.
“My wife Candace and I decided this would be a good place to build our home and start our family. We’ll begin with two homes, one for us and one to sell.”
—Jordan Liles
Others see it as the natural next step for a growing community.
“When we realized the Batte family owned the land next to ours, we started talking about joining forces to develop something special. Red Lick Ranch is the result. Getting Jordan and Collin involved is making it even better.”
—Ray Sandefur
Following “Housing Texarkana” by Mike Sandefur, which explores housing challenges and opportunities in the region, we asked local builders to share their perspectives. These professionals understand the realities on the ground, from navigating rising costs to meeting the needs of today’s buyers. Their insights provide valuable context to the conversation and highlight the important role builders play in shaping Texarkana’s future.
