Government
BY JOEL VALLEY
Bastrop seeks Texas State University The city of Bastrop wants a Texas State University campus or satellite instructional center within the community. What else? Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris emphasized that Texas State University’s presence in Bas- trop would serve as a “catalyst for workforce development.” What they’re saying “We currently have no plans to expand ... but our team looks forward to working with the city of Bastrop to help them create a plan that best addresses their short- and long- term needs.” $43.1M grant to bring internet to rural Bastrop A $43.1 million Texas Broadband Development O ce grant is bringing high-speed ber to more than 10,000 Bastrop County homes and businesses that previously had no high-speed options. What we know With construction now underway, Bastrop County o cials and representatives from Highline— the provider installing the high-speed ber internet to previously underserved and unserved loca- tions—celebrated the milestone Dec. 3 at the Bastrop County Courthouse. Adena Lewis, Bastrop County’s director of tourism and economic development, said in a state- ment, credited several key players for their ongoing commitment to closing the digital divide in Bastrop County, including: • Bastrop County Commissioners Court • Bastrop County Cares • St. David’s Foundation • Communities Unlimited • Lower Colorado River Authority • Connected Nation • Bastrop Economic Development Co. “This signi cant investment cements Bastrop
189-acre commercial site planned in county A 189-acre commercial development is planned for Bastrop County that could expand the region’s business corridor and tap into the area’s rapid population growth and ever-rising consumer demand. In a nutshell Tampa-based Franklin Street, a commer- cial real estate services rm, sold the vacant property to Cedar Creek EAT 1031 on behalf of 6682 FM 535 Associates on Dec. 2. The location neighbors a Lower Colorado River Authority substation and a $1.4 million data center campus in Cedar Creek.
Closing the digital divide Number of homes and businesses: 10,471 Investment : $43.1 million broadband grant and $11 million matching investment from Highline T echnology: Fiber-optic network delivering symmetrical gigabit speeds awarded through Bringing Online
$701.9M
Opportunities to Texas program to date
SOURCE: BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
County’s commitment to closing the digital divide,” Lewis said. “Access to reliable, high-speed internet is vital for education, healthcare, business and community well-being.” Zooming in Bastrop County was one of 13 counties to earn the grant funding through the Bringing Online Opportu- nities to Texas, or BOOT II, program. “Expanding broadband countywide will ensure our students can learn, our businesses can grow and our residents can stay connected in an increasingly digital world,” Bastrop County Precinct 4 Commis- sioner David Glass said. The outlook Lewis added that installations of the high-speed ber internet are expected to be completed by late 2026. She emphasized that the initiative will unlock opportunities for residents in telehealth, remote learning, small business growth, civic engagement and more.
189-acre mixed-use commercial development
535
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Austin Water halts Bastrop water storage project Austin Water o cials are no longer pursuing an Aquifer Storage and Recovery, or ASR, project in Bastrop County. The update Although Austin City Council was set to vote on a collaboration agreement with Bastrop
“Austin Water will continue to advance water supply storage strategies from the council-adopted Water Forward Plan.” SHAY RALLS ROALSON, AUSTIN WATER DIRECTOR
County that would have advanced the project to a eld-testing phase, Austin Water withdrew the item from the Nov. 20 council agenda. “While Austin put our best foot forward to achieve the collaboration and partnership that would be needed to complete testing and even- tually build such a regional project, we didn’t reach the level of partnership that is needed,” Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson said in a memorandum sent to Austin City Council. Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino
noted the agenda item removal. “The residents in Bastrop won,” she said in a Nov. 19 statement. The background The ASR project, which was approved as part of Austin’s Water Forward Plan, aimed to store and draw water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in Bastrop County.
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