Bee County officials say talks are progressing on possible screw‑worm breeding facility

Commissioners in Bee County said efforts are under way to host a screw‑worm fly breeding facility that supporters say could aid regional pest‑control efforts and create local jobs.

Commissioner DeWitt described a string of meetings with local and state contacts and said Texas A&M extension, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and other state lawmakers have expressed support. “The people that built the facility in Panama are involved…they’re excited about what we have in Bee County,” DeWitt said, noting Chase Field as a possible site.

DeWitt said the site in the Rio Grande Valley would require a complete rebuild and could take two to two‑and‑a‑half years to become operational, while a Bee County location would be closer to the border but far enough away to meet siting needs. He added that officials anticipate a decision soon and that the project could be a 24‑hour operation with significant local employment if it proceeds.

No formal motion or county commitment was recorded during the discussion. County leaders said they had been speaking with state and federal contacts and that more details would come as negotiations continue.

The discussion reflected an exploratory stage: commissioners reported outreach to state officials and industry partners but did not vote to authorize land use, funding or contractual steps at the session.