Fort Bend County breaks ground on $2M juvenile vocational training center

Fort Bend County officials broke ground Feb. 18 on a $2 million juvenile vocational training center in Richmond to ensure the county is meeting the growing number of juveniles entering the detention system.

“This facility that we’re breaking ground on today is the first of its kind in the state,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy said. “I’m reminded about the boundless opportunities that is childhood, that when we are young, the hope and optimism that we have for our futures is limitless.”

The details

Kyle Dobbs, executive director and chief juvenile probation officer at Fort Bend County’s juvenile probation department, said the 6,700-square-foot center—set to be located at 122 Golfview Drive—will offer instruction for approximately 60 kids ages 14-17 in six different skills, including:

• Welding
• Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
• Electrical
• Carpentry
• Digital media
• Cosmetology

In December 2024, Fort Bend County commissioners approved $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support facility equipment, programming and infrastructure costs, Community Impact previously reported.

In their own words

“To be successful in juvenile justice, you need to be open to creativity and innovation,” Dobbs said. “We feel this is a new way of helping juvenile justice involve kids by providing them with a real opportunity of career training that will impact generations to come by preparing them for high-demand careers and great-paying jobs.”

Stay tuned

Construction is expected to take nine months with an opening anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027, Dobbs said.