WESLACO — A state-of-the-art research facility will soon replace the depleted Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center on the northeast corner of Expressway 83 and International Boulevard. 

A number of state and local officials participated in a groundbreaking Tuesday evening to commemorate the project that has been anticipated for 10 years. 

Dr. Mike McKinney, chancellor of the Texas A&M System, Dr. Stephen Tallant, president of Texas A&M Kingsville, and Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples were among the dignitaries in attendance. State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, and State Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco, were also present.

John da Graca, director of the center since 1999, explained that the long process began when the university in Kingsville requested plans to build an enhanced facility. The plan was approved by state legislature in 2006 and has since been in the works.

The new center is expected to be completed by next summer with an estimated cost of $7.2 million, funded by state tuition revenue bonds.

Currently, research is being conducted in old military barracks relocated from the deactivated Harlingen Air Base in 1948. Because of their age, da Graca said, and they were not constructed to deal with the computer age and modern technologies.

The barracks have been remodeled several times, a task that has been both tedious and expensive. Maintenance costs have also increased for leaky roofs, and mold has germinated on the ceilings.

The Citrus Center originated in the 1940s when a group of local citizens and citrus growers approached the then Texas College of Arts & Industries Kingsville with the proposal of establishing a research facility in the Lower Rio Grande Valley specializing in citrus science.

In 1947, the original site and research farm was purchased with funds contributed by the citrus industry. By 1948 the center was in operation and has since undergone several expansions.

The new 25,000-square-feet center will provide faculty and students with larger classrooms and labs, allowing more research opportunities and more student recruitment. Despite the noise and inconveniences, research will continue during construction.

When the center is complete, the aged 18,000-square-feet facility will be demolished.

"It's going to be a lot easier to be productive, attract good students, attract good scientists and staff to the center," da Graca said.
Research completed at the Citrus Center benefits all types of agriculture overall, and part of the research includes the controlling of pests and diseases as well as developing new irrigation systems.

Because of their extensive research, the center has developed partnerships with citrus growers, agricultural companies, and state and federal agencies.

"The citrus industry of Texas is who we serve, an industry with a total annual value of $200 million," da Graca said. "Our research is to try and preserve and get the industry to grow."

The center produces the Texas Rio Red grapefruit, a fruit sought after nationwide and beyond, da Graca said. Other disciplines researched by the center's scientists include entomology, plant pathology, molecular biology, soil science, and plant nutrition.

The Citrus Center, with eight full-time scientists and other state-funded employees, graduates six to 10 students every year. The center also hosts undergraduate students from Texas A&M University Kingsville and the University of Texas- Pan American.

"Were training young students in how to do scientific research and they help us with our projects. So we have a number of great students and even undergraduates learning technologies," da Graca said. "It's all here to try and make the industry more profitable and ensure long-term viability."