Matagorda County Navigation District #1 property includes the campus for Texas State Marine Education Center, which is built on approximately 60 acres of shoreline property and makes use of the former headquarters of nearby Camp Hulen’s namesake, General John A. Hulen.  Palacios Independent School District staffs the Marine Center for their extensive marine education program that last year hosted over 8,000 area students and visitors. 

Texas State Technical College Palacios Campus utilizes the Marine Center property for their administration and classrooms, while offering complete technical programs in Diesel Equipment Technology, Pharmacy Tech Certification and Environmental Health and Safety Compliance.