The Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System is a growing network of University-based Centers dedicated to supplying regional geospatial services in support of emergency response, economic development, and natural resource management. The System was established in 2006 by a federal appropriation through the Department of Defense. The original Center and prototype for the System is the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) in Nacogdoches, Texas. At present, Centers exist at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Texas Tech University (TTU), and Lamar University (LU).

The Texas Natural Resource Information System (TNRIS), a state agency with responsibility for managing Texas' geospatial assets, serves as the hub of the system. In one sense, the System extends the reach of TNRIS and expands its mandate to include regional geospatial support.

The Centers are connected via the Lone Star Education And Research Network (LEARN). LEARN is a cooperative effort of 34 institutions of higher education in Texas to provide high-speed connectivity between their institutions, and provide connectivity to research networks across the country. LEARN provides the physical connectivity required to allow the Centers to share data and collaborate on projects in spite of the great distances between them. In addition, the System is a Internet2 project.

Each Center brings it's own area of expertise to the system. For example, The Columbia Center at SFA focuses on forestry issues, 911-mapping, and rural economic development. UTEP has expertise in geology, air quality, and border issues. TTU works on agricultural issues, water rights, and weather issues. Lamar specializes in minerals, oil exploration, and coastal issues.

All of the Centers share responsibility for emergency preparedness and response, data replication, training and other state-wide issues.

The Columbia Center System has been identified by Senator Hutchison as a "Model for the Nation."