Flower Mound could be home to the premier medical district of southern Denton County, filled with hospitals, clinics and education centers, but it will need state funding to get it done.
The town will head into the next state legislative session looking to secure funding for a Texas Tech University Health Science Center campus, multiple hospitals, a hotel, retail space and a variety of housing within the Furst Ranch development.
Dubbed the Furst Ranch Medical Life Science Center, the project is part of the town’s plan to fill Denton County’s gap in healthcare coverage as the county’s population booms.
According to an update from Brandi Bird, Flower Mound’s legislative consultant, the town is seeking $20 million in state funding for the project.
During the last legislative session in 2025, the town sought $15 million.
Flower Mound is working with State Senator Tan Parker and Texas Tech University Chancellor Brandon Creighton to bring the project to secure the funding and bring it to fruition.
“While the project is still in development, our goal is to bring a substantial medical education and research presence to the area,” said Ray Watson Flower Mound’s director of economic development. “Strengthening the pipeline of future medical professionals and helping meet the long-term healthcare needs of the metroplex.”
According to Texas Tech University, the university’s health science center will likely offer pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory and mental health programs.
The town sought funding for the project in the previous legislative session, but the proposal died quickly, which is not uncommon for this type of request. Bird said it can take decades to get the green light for a project like what Flower Mound has in mind.
“Senator Parker has been working heavily with Chancellor Creighton,” she said. “I think it has more momentum this session than it did last, and I think it will continue to gain momentum every session.”
According to a previous presentation about the project, Furst Ranch in the northwest portion of Flower Mound was chosen as the potential site because of its proximity to major highways and overall accessibility.
It also mentioned parts of the plan that would be consideration if funding was approved.
The town would likely have to make an effort to include affordable housing and public transportation. It would also be important to share resources with nearby facilities and school districts.
Texas Tech also has health science center campuses in El Paso, Odessa, Amarillo, Abilene and Dallas in addition to its home campus in Lubbock.
Furst Ranch will be important to the development of Flower Mound’s west side, which is set to feature residential communities, home improvement stores and big box retailers all the way to I-35W… and maybe an H-E-B.
In preparation for this impending growth, Flower Mound Fire Station No. 6 is under construction and is expected to serve as more than just a fire station.
The first day of the upcoming legislative session will begin on Monday, Jan. 12, 2027. The bill filing deadline will be Friday, March 12, 2027 and the last day of the regular session will be Monday, May 31, 2027.
