Houston, TX (January 2026) – Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100 is moving toward the construction phase of its 25,000-square-foot swift-water rescue training facility, STORM Ranch. As the state of Texas leads the nation in flood-related fatalities, officials at Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100 recognized the need for a dedicated training facility to simulate real flood conditions and equip first responders with crucial life-saving skills. Plans for this facility have been years in the making and are now becoming a reality.
The STORM Ranch facility will feature two large swift-water channels, a 2.2-acre flatwater training pond, and an urban flood rescue simulator to allow rescue personnel to train in flooded streets and buildings. The facility will provide the potential for a multitude of training scenarios, including immersed vehicle, boat, and high-ropes rescues.
The facility will also include a “Main Street” urban simulation featuring a two-story residential building, a sunken residential building, a high ropes tower, and a two-story care facility. The area’s realistic streetscape conditions will include narrowed street intersections, utility poles, a rocky gorge, and a low-head dam which will simulate varying water levels for high performance, scenario-based training.
Design and construction of the facility are being led by Calibre Engineering and their S2O Whitewater Division. Additional project partners include Cloward H2O, Liquid Design, and Norris Design. The site has been cleared for construction, and groundbreaking is set for the first half of 2026 with an 18-month timeline to completion. For project updates and future bookings, visit www.thestormranch.org
Funding for the facility has been provided through a variety of public, private, and philanthropic sources. The financing for the project was structured by Landon Newton with Government Capital Corporation, Southlake, Texas.
“We are grateful to have partnered with Government Capital on funding this significant project,” stated Dale Terry, President, Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100. “Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in navigating the complexities of the financing and bringing it to a successful close.”
“We are proud to support Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100 during this project and look forward to the positive impact this project will have,” commented Landon Newton, Vice President, Government Capital Corporation. “We take great pride in partnering with Texas emergency services districts who provide critical and necessary training and emergency services to communities throughout the state of Texas.”
About Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100
Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100 was established in 1997 and is responsible for providing fire and medical emergency services to 25 square miles in Harris and Fort Bend Counties in Southeast Texas. Harris-Fort Bend ESD 100 is setting a regional standard through its leadership in comprehensive training programs and its demonstrated commitment to responding effectively to emerging public safety needs. By proactively developing the skills and capabilities of emergency personnel and maintaining readiness to support complex operations, the district exemplifies best practices in governance and service delivery. To learn more about Harris-Fort Bend County ESD 100, visit www.esd100.org.
About Government Capital Corporation
Government Capital Corporation (GCC) is a leading public finance firm providing professional financial services to all local governmental entities. Since its founding in 1992, the company and its affiliates have successfully completed thousands of municipal financings exceeding $7 billion in Texas and across the country.
Over the years, Government Capital Corporation has been intentional about supporting public safety efforts statewide. In 2003, GCC began its partnership with SAFE-D that continues to this day to provide sponsorships, training presentations, and legislative support. Since entering the public safety market, Government Capital has provided over $1.2 billion in funding to various Texas public safety entities including emergency services districts, volunteer fire departments, rural fire protection districts, and city fire departments. For more information, visit www.govcap.com/public-safety.
