Fort Hood Thursday transferred 662 acres of land to the Texas A&M University System for a new campus.
It's a big donation that will bring in all kinds of benefits and something that has college students like Courtney Simpson excited.
"I think it'll definitely bring more diversity in the area, which we already do have a large diversity with Fort Hood being here and the soldiers, but I just think it'll bring more students here and more activities," she said.
President of the Killeen Chamber of Commerce, John Crutchfield, said the development will bring jobs.
"Jobs at the university -- those kind of stimulus that are associated with teaching students and employing professors," Crutchfield said.
Having a new campus could attract economic growth and bring people to the area.
But for those already here including the Fort Hood community, it's a needed resource.
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A&M in Killeen
News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez share information about the new university and what it means to the community.
 
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"We have the largest population in the state without access to public higher education. Someone who wants to earn a bachelor’s degree here has to drive 110 miles," Crutchfield said.
At Tarleton State University Central Texas in Killeen, some bachelor’s degrees are offered. That's where Simpson is taking some college courses.
The school is part of the transition to a Central Texas campus.
"And it's not going to be a branch of A&M, it's going to be its own A&M facility," Simpson said.
The name change at Tarleton State University Central Texas could happen before the end of this year and construction on a new building could start in 2010.
"The transfer of the land has been planned for a good long time and it's good to finally get to that point," Crutchfield said.
It's a point that moves this community closer to having a top-name university of its own.
The addition of Texas A&M Central Texas makes it the 10th independent university in the system.
The university expects its enrollment to increase by at least 15 percent this fall.
Congressman John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Chet Edwards, D-Waco, worked for five years to have the land transfer.
