Pflugerville - Hutto Edition | May 2024

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Pugerville Hutto Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 9 MAY 9JUNE 10, 2024

White House ocials announced in April plans to invest billions of dollars in the Central Texas semiconductor industry.

GRANT CRAWFORDCOMMUNITY IMPACT Samsung to invest billions more in Central Texas

Science Act signed into law in 2022—will expand Samsung’s footprint in Taylor and further the U.S. Department of Commerce’s goal of producing 20% of the world’s semiconductor chips by 2030, according to a statement from the White House.

memorandum agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce to receive $6.4 billion in direct fund- ing, while the company is expected to invest more than $45 billion into the region. The federal funding—from the $53 billion Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Dubbed the “Silicon Fields” by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, DAustin, during a White House announce- ment April 15, Taylor is shaping up to become the heart of a semiconductor cluster in Central Texas. Samsung Electronics signed a preliminary

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: Casa Jalisco Sports Bar and Grill now open (Page 10)

Government: Hutto increases water rates (Page 13)

Education: PfISD hires new superintendent (Page 17)

Business: Doggy Day Out oers all things canine (Page 28)

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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STEP 3 : Reduce strain on your air conditioner and lower your energy bills this summer with these tips. • Check attic insulation levels. • Upgrade to a more efficient A/C system. • Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. • Keep windows and blinds shut in areas with direct sunlight. • Keep your doors inside open when the A/C is on for better air circulation. • Use ceiling fans for added ventilation. STEP 2: Change your air conditioner filter regularly for better air quality and reduced wear Clogged air filters strain your air conditioner as restricted airflow means your unit has to work harder to keep your indoor temperature low. Too much strain on your A/C unit can cause it to break down right when you need it most. Check and change your air conditioner filters regularly to shield your family from the catastrophe of a broken air conditioner in July. As a bonus, your family will enjoy better indoor air quality.

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perform routine maintenance - whether or not you’ve noticed signs that your air conditioner may need to be replaced. An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently. And in most cases, annual maintenance is required by manufacturers to keep the warranty valid. Before the rush for A/C repairs starts, call Honest Plumbing & Air to schedule your annual air conditioning inspection and tune-up, designed to keep your system in optimal running condition year-round. Air conditioner maintenance and repairs aren’t the most thrilling items on your summer planning checklist, but they are among the most important things you can do to enjoy the summer. If your air conditioner breaks down when Austin is at its hottest, you could experience days - or weeks - without cool air at home, and that’s the kind of problem that will grind all other plans to a screeching halt. Before it truly gets hot, take care of any air conditioner repairs, tune-ups, and replacements. STEP 1: Schedule a tune-up for your air conditioner now for peace of mind all summer long Summertime in Austin is your air conditioner’s busy season, and it’s important to have a professional out to check for potential problems and

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CHAMBER CONNECTION “BEST OF PFLUGERVILLE” May 30 - Deadline

Join the Chamber by May 30 to be included in this program. Celebrate the spirit of Pflugerville with the "Best Of" 2024! We will highlight top-notch eateries, beloved local businesses and community gems that make Pflugerville shine. Discover what makes our city truly special, from mouthwatering bites to unmatched services.

May 9 Business After Hours at Homes with Hall Realty 5-7 p.m. 15901 Central Commerce Dr., Ste. 201 May 16 Window Genie of Pflugerville ribbon cutting Noon-12:30 p.m. Chamber offices, 101 S. 3rd St. May 21 Small Business Initiative program launch event Program includes education on accounting, banking, business law, human resources, marketing and technology. Free for members; $20 future members. Lunch is included. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St.

May 28 Two Maids ribbon cutting Noon-12:30 p.m. 707 E. Main St., Round Rock

Join us! Events Calendar

May 31 Morning Edition at Toyota of Cedar Park 8-9 a.m. 5600 U.S. Hwy. 183A, Leander June 4 Enigma Advisory ribbon cutting Noon-12:30 p.m. Chamber offices, 101 S. 3rd St. June 6 Business After Hours at Spirit of Texas Brewstillery 5-7 p.m. 1715 Dalshank St.

101 South 3rd Street | Pflugerville, Texas 78660 | 512.251.7799 | info@pfchamber.com

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

4 Sweet Memes The cafe offers Vietnamese coffee, matcha, brewed tea and blended drinks in addition to multiple flavors of souf- fle pancakes, sweet toasts, waffles and mille crepe cakes. • Opened April 12 • 115 Sundance Parkway, Ste. 390, Round Rock • https://order.toasttab.com/online/sweetmemes-austin 5 Tyler’s The retailer is named for the location of its first store, Tyler, Texas, which opened in 1978. Located at the corner of Rock Creek Plaza, Tyler’s offers a variety of outdoor wear and accessories for men, women and children. • Opened in April • 2132 N. Mays St., Ste. 800, Round Rock • www.tylerstx.com

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Round Rock

UNIVERSITY OAKS BLVD.

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CHISHOLM TRAIL RD.

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DOUBLE CREEK DR.

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Coming soon

6 Cole Haan Offering a variety of footwear for men, women and chil- dren, the store is set to open this summer in the Round Rock Premium Outlets in a space between the J. Crew and Converse stores. • Opening this summer • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.colehaan.com 7 Dumont Cafe & Creamery The ice cream and coffee shop announced April 5 the business has set its sights on a future Round Rock loca- tion, although a company representative said a timeline has not yet been established for its opening. In addition to a variety of ice cream flavors, the cafe will offer dif- ferent kinds of bubble and milk teas, slushies, smooth- ies and other blended drinks, and espresso-based coffee drinks. • Opening TBD • 1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Ste. 104, Round Rock • www.dumont.us 8 Therapy Suites The rentable space for private practice therapists held a soft opening April 22. The furnished office spaces will be available for professionally licensed counselors to

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2 Clothes Mentor The resale store sells gently used name-brand and designer clothing, shoes and accessories. The store also offers cash or store credit for clothing in sizes 0-26 and maternity clothing as well as for shoes, handbags and other accessories. • Opened March 26 • 201 University Oaks Blvd., Ste. 400, Round Rock • https://roundrocktx.clothesmentor.com 3 Soapy Falls Express Car Wash The car wash opened in March, offering a monthly subscription for unlimited washes as well as individual wash pricing. • Opened March 1 • 2700 Gattis School Road, Round Rock • www.soapyfalls.com

Now open

1 Across the Stitch The business offers embroidery services for appar- el and accessories as well as T-shirt printing and customizable gift items, such as blankets, towels and pillows. Owner and veteran Dineen Parker founded the business after learning to cross-stitch while she was

serving in the military. • Opened in November • 1108 S. I-35 frontage road, Round Rock • www.atsembroidery.com

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meet with their clients seven days a week. • Opening May 1 • 2631 Gattis School Road, Ste. 220, Round Rock • www.therapysuitestx.com

Now open

Relocations

9 Bella & Bloom Boutique The Austin-based boutique relocated to a new ware- house in Round Rock in the first quarter of the year. Lo- cally owned by Katlyn Maupin, the online-only boutique offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories for all occasions. • Opened first quarter 2024 • 2150 Chisholm Trail Road, Ste. 100, Round Rock • www.shopbellaandbloom.com 10 Rojo Beautie Hairstylist and MUA The beauty shop owned by Letty Rojo relocated to Round Rock from Hutto in April. In addition to haircuts, color and keratin treatments, customers can obtain lash extensions and makeup services from the shop. • Relocated in April • 3000 Joe DiMaggio Blvd., Ste. 60, Round Rock • www.rojobeautie.com 11 Sarita’s Meat Market The local meat market and grocery store relocated to the former home of the Tiemann Art Gallery in Janu- ary. In addition to a variety of meats, the grocery store offers packaged goods, produce and baked goods. • Relocated in February

13 Salute Liquor Owned by Henry and Jacqueline Anthony, the store sells liquor, wine, beer and tobacco prod- ucts. Beer connoisseurs will find a wide selection available, including craft brews, seasonal beers and local favorites. • Opened April 9 • 105 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Ste. 104, Round Rock • www.saluteliquortx.com

15 JuiceLand The drive-thru juice, smoothie and coffee chain was founded in 2011 by Matt Shook and has since expanded to 40 locations and counting in Dallas, Austin and Houston. This is the fifth drive-thru location. • Opened May 1 • 2141 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.juiceland.com

Java City After closing in 2020 due to staffing shortages, on-cam- pus coffee shops at Round Rock ISD’s McNeil, Round Rock and Westwood high schools are back up and running as of April. • www.roundrockisd.org

Aday & Associates Commercial Construction, will oper- ate, M’Kensie Aday said. Aday confirmed the barn will not change ownership. • Closing May 1

• 1706 N. Mays St., Round Rock • Facebook: Sarita’s Meat Market

• 1810 N. CR 122, Round Rock • www.adayassociates.com

In the news

16 Queen’s Shoes The women’s shoe retailer located in the Round Rock Premium Outlets closed in April. • Closed in April

Closings

12 Camdyn Auto Repair Camdyn Auto Repair will celebrate 10 years of operation May 5. The auto shop offers routine services, such as oil changes, tire rotations and fluids as well as brake and battery replacement, and major air conditioning repairs. • 3584 Rockin J Road, Round Rock • www.camdynautorepair.com

14 Lone Oak Barn The venue planned to cease operations as an event venue May 1, according to the Aday family, after 12 years of operation. The barn, which served as a popular event and wedding venue, will be refinished out as a construc- tion office where the family’s construction company,

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

Pflugerville

138

Now open

PRIEM LN.

A.W. GRIMES BLVD.

RED BUD LN.

685

1 Austin Pets Alive Thrift The boutique-style thrift shop gives all net proceeds to support programs at APA. The store includes clothes, home goods, jewelry and more. • Opened April 13 • 15803 Windermere Drive, Ste. 603, Pflugerville • www.austinpetsalive.org/shop/thrift 2 QuikTrip The national convenience store and gas station chain features beverages and grab-and-go food options. • Opened April 3 • 1202 FM 685, Pflugerville • www.quiktrip.com 3 VCA Animal Hospital Urgent Care The veterinary practice recently opened a location off of Wells Branch Parkway. The practice provides same-day urgent pet care, seven days a week. • Opened April 2 • 208 E. Wells Branch Parkway, Ste. 220, Pflugerville • www.vcahospitals.com

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GREENLAWN BLVD.

Pflugerville

TOWN CENTER DR.

WINDERMERE DR.

CAMERON RD.

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IMMANUEL RD.

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4 European Wax Center The national chain has over 1,000 locations, offering full-body hair removal and waxing services for men and women. • Opened April 1 • 1512 Town Center Drive, Ste. 650, Pflugerville • www.waxcenter.com 5 Veterinary Dental Specialties and Oral Surgery The clinic offers dental services—catering to dogs, cats and even exotic animals—including extractions, tooth restoration, periodontal therapy and more. • Opened February 27 • 701 FM 685, Ste. 300, Pflugerville • www.vdspets.com

In the news

6 Immanuel Lutheran Church The Immanuel Lutheran Church opened their doors to parishioners May 31, 1874, over 90 years before the city of Pflugerville was established. This May the church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. • 500 Immanuel Road, Unit B, Pflugerville • www.ilcpville.org

Closings

7 Sangiovanni Distillery, Pizzeria and Daiquiris

9 Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Snooze will soon be serving pancakes and mimosas in the Pflugerville area. A newly constructed building, across from Willie’s Grill and Icehouse along SH 130, will house the well-known breakfast and brunch diner, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The eatery serves a familiar diner menu, including pancakes, omelets, Benedicts and breakfast tacos. • Opening 2025 • 18725 FM 685, Pflugerville • www.snoozeeatery.com

The pizzeria closed its kitchen, while the distillery will continue to make ATX Vodka under new ownership. • Closed in March • 4701 Priem Lane, Ste. 3 A, Pflugerville 8 Cele Store The store and restaurant closed its doors after 133 years. It was established as the Richland Saloon in 1891. Bought by Marilyn and Marvin Weiss in the 1950s, the store has been owned by their family ever since. • Closed March 30 • 18726 Cameron Road, Manor

Coming soon

Window Genie The company specializes in window cleaning, window film, gutter cleaning and pressure washing services. • Opening May 16 • www.windowgenie.com/east-austin-pflugerville

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

Hutto

Now open

1660

1 Casa Jalisco Sports Bar and Grill The restaurant, owned by Jaime Fernandez, is now open in The Hutto Co-Op District. The restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine in a sports bar atmosphere. • Opened April 17 • 460 Hwy. 79, Hutto • www.casajaliscosportsbarandgrill.com 2 Mi Vida Comida The Mexican restaurant, owned by Firas Abusaada, offers tacos, burritos and plates made with chicken fajitas, pastor, barbacoa, carne asada, beef fajitas, chicharron and more. The menu also includes a variety of tortas as well as breakfast items. • Opened April 5

ALLIANCE BLVD.

TAYLOR ST.

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• 101 Limmer Loop, Hutto • Facebook: Mi Vida Comida

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3 Smokey Mo’s BBQ The barbecue restaurant offers smoked meats, including brisket, turkey, pork ribs, pork loin, sausage and chicken. The menu also includes pinto beans, potato salad, green beans, coleslaw, potatoes, and mac and cheese. The

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BY GRANT CRAWFORD

business also offers catering for groups of over 100 people. • Opened April 18 • 120 Chris Kelley Blvd., Ste. 300, Hutto • www.smokeymosbbq.com

tap at all times. • Opened April 6 • 1133 CR 137, Hutto • www.rockabillybrewing.com

Now open

In the news

Relocations

6 EVO Entertainment EVO Entertainment Group will begin construction soon on its 53,000-square-foot facility, with plans to open early next summer, according to a public relations representative. The venue will include movie theaters with recliner seating, full food service as well as bowling lanes, games and a private event space.

4 Thig’s Diamond Kutz The barbershop is moving across the street from its existing location. Owned by William Thigpen, the shop offers classic razor shaves and beard trims in addition to haircuts for men, women and children. The business also plans to open another location in Taylor later this year. • Relocated May 1 • 107 Taylor St., Hutto • www.fpisocial.com/thigs

• Opening summer 2025 • 180 Alliance Blvd., Hutto • www.evo.co

8 BBQ Fiends The food truck sets up at Rockabilly Brewing on the weekends, offering brisket, ribs, turkey and sausage, and sides include charro beans, street corn, Spanish rice and loaded potato salad. • Opened April 6 • 1133 CR 137, Hutto • www.bbqfiends.com

Closings

Expansions

7 Now, Dats Boba The locally owned boba shop opened in late 2022, offering a variety of drinks, including bubble tea, smoothies and coffee. • Closed April 14 • 525 Chris Kelley Blvd., Ste. 500, Hutto

5 Rockabilly Brewing The brewery reopened its doors after closing in December to undergo renovations, and now features a covered patio and additional seating. The business is also working to upgrade its kids play area and provide additional parking, and will soon offer five core beers on

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PFLUGERVILLE 15803 Windermere Dr. Ste. 204, 78660

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Government

Plans unveiled for city’s new recreation center An update April 9 during a Pflugerville City Council work session painted a clearer picture of the city’s Downtown East project. The details Downtown East—a project to be located on property northwest of the Pecan Street and FM 685 intersection—will include a new city hall building, a recreation center, a retail space and an extension of Main Street. Developers are in the design phase of the project, with construction expected to begin by the end of the year. The official development agreement will go before City Council sometime this summer, according to city staff. The update included plans detailing the potential specifications of the 14,000 square foot, multi-story recreation center. Plans for the recreation center include:

Williamson County installs flood stations Williamson County recently installed three remote, automated weather stations throughout the region, with plans for another station underway. The overview Candi Semple, Williamson County Emergency Services project manager, said during an April 16 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting the county is implementing a comprehensive program to improve its flood monitoring ability. She said these stations measure wind, rain, temperature and humidity to deter- mine where possible flooding may take place downstream. They can also help determine the potential for wildfires. The project was approved by 2019 voter-approved road bonds.

A breakdown of the estimated $204.7 million cost for phase 1 of the Downtown East project:

Recreation center: $78.5M

City hall: $80.1M

Infrastructure: $33.8M

Parcel acquisition for Main Street: $5.6M

Parking: $3.1M

Retail: $3.6M

SOURCE: CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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PCDC’s Madison announces retirement

Hutto alters water rates as city plans expansions Hutto City Council approved the final rate struc- ture April 4 for water and wastewater customers, which will be included on bills in June. Residential water customers will see a $2 increase to their base water rate, while wastewater customers will see an increase of $12 to the sewer base rate, according to city documents. Larger meters will see a $5 increase in water rates and $19.50 for wastewater rates. Two-minute impact Rates for previously approved future water and wastewater projects were determined based on the city’s current debt issuance per project. The increase is a result of council’s March 21 approval of a $349 million debt issuance intended for water and wastewater projects. These projects are intended to address the pressing need for increased capacity due to rapid

“This is the most fair distribution of the burden. Of the options we have, that’s the best one in my opinion.” DAN THORNTON, HUTTO CITY COUNCIL

During a special called meeting April 9, Amy Madison, exec- utive director of the Pflugerville Community Development Corpora- tion, announced plans for retirement after over a decade serving Pflugerville.

growth seen in recent years, according to city staff. The approved funding will come from a city-issued certificate of obligation, or CO, bond. These CO bonds are typically backed by taxes or impact fee revenues, and they do not require voter approval. What else? Additional rate studies will be conducted once the wastewater projects come online, the largest of which—the wastewater treatment plant expan- sion—is estimated to be completed within the next three years.

Amy Madison

Madison’s efforts over the past decade led to the recruitment or expansion of 76 proj- ects, 9.3 million square feet of development and 7,076 new full-time jobs, according to a 2023 report conducted by Impact DataSource, an economic research and consulting firm. She also received a lifetime achievement award from the Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.

NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

ACC approves pilot program offering free tuition for locals Austin Community College will provide up to five years of free tuition for students living in its service area, after the community college’s board of trustees approved the pilot measure in April. About the program The proposal, brought to the college system’s board of trustees by ACC Chancellor Russell Low- ery-Hart, will create a zero-cost tuition program for students who graduate from local high schools, charter schools and those who have completed General Educational Development. Homeschooled students will also qualify. The details Eligible students could qualify for up to five years of free tuition and have three years from graduation

HISD projects higher recapture payments As Hutto ISD heads into budget season for the 2024-25 fiscal year, new projections show the district may pay about $270,000 more to the state in recapture than it did in the previous year. What you need to know Chief Financial Officer Caleb Steed said the payment of excess property tax revenues to the state is projected to rise from $570,000 in the 2023-24 fiscal year to $850,000 for FY 2024-25. This is due to an increase in local property values, Steed said, paired with an unchang- ing amount of per-student state funding. Additionally, Steed and other administra- tors forecasted that some budget cuts may be coming, although it is unclear where they will land.

ACC service area All students graduating this May who live within the community college’s service area will qualify for free tuition under the program.

183

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Hutto

Round Rock

Pflugerville

Austin

281

Bastrop

San Antonio

183

SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

to access these funds to receive an associate degree. If a student pursues a bachelor’s degree, they may also receive an additional two years of free tuition, ACC spokesperson Sydney Pruitt said. For more information, visit www.austincc.edu.

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Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & BROOKE SJOBERG

Pugerville ISD hires Quintin Shepherd as new superintendent The Pugerville ISD board of trustees approved a contract April 29 to hire Quintin Shepherd as the district’s superintendent. Shepherd has served as superintendent of Vic- toria ISD since 2018. He’s set to ocially take over the PfISD superintendent role May 28, per district

HISD to implement changes to special ed Hutto ISD is working to revamp its special education program for the upcoming 2024- 25 school year, following the results of an audit of the program. About the program To better serve students who qualify for these services and support teachers, the dis- trict will implement the following changes to its special education program for the upcoming 2024-25 school year, including: • Analyzing distribution of students in special programming for eciencies • Creating program-specic monitoring guidelines for campus administrators • Creating new professional learning plans for special education teachers and para- professionals for the 2024-25 school year

New Pugerville ISD Superintendent Quintin Shepherd previously served as superintendent of Victoria ISD.

COURTESY PFLUGERVILLE ISD

The plan One of Shepherd’s rst initiatives will be a 100-day listening-an- learning tour, in which he said he will hear directly from students, parents, educators, sta and community members. “In line with the values of Pugerville ISD, my plan prioritizes communication, students success and a culture of trust and collaboration,” Shepherd said. “By embracing these diverse perspectives within our community, we’ll craft policies and pro- grams that truly resonate with everyone involved.”

representatives. How we got here

The search for a new superintendent began last year after the trustees unanimously accepted the resignation of former superintendent Douglas Killian during a Dec. 14 board meeting. Killian served as superintendent for six years. Former PfISD Assistant Superintendent Steve Flores was then named interim superintendent.

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Real estate

Homes spent less time on the market on average across the Pflugerville and Hutto market in March, and year-over-year homes sales also dipped slightly. Residential market data

March 2023

March 2024

Homes sold

Average days on the market

-27.6%

-24.2%

-3%

-5.6%

78634

130 TOLL

78634

78660

78634

78660

Median home sales price

45 TOLL

March

2023

2024

78660

$368,530

$364,974

78634

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

$416,795

$399,595

78660

Homes sold by price point in March

Pflugerville | Hutto

March

78634

78660

March

2023

2024

$900,000+

258 208

New listings

$700,000-$899,999

222

212

Closed sales

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Homes under contract

219 210

<$299,999

Months of inventory

1.7

Median home price in March

Hutto $365,000

Round Rock $413,750

Travis County $510,000

Price per square foot

$198 $202

Pflugerville $399,595

Austin MSA $564,995

Williamson County $420,000

498 384

Active listings

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Pflugerville advances Impact Way extension Pflugerville City Council approved a contract March 26 with DCS Engineering LLC for Phase 4 of an extension to Impact Way. In a nutshell Design will take roughly six months, with construction starting in October. The project is expected to be done by fall 2025. Phase 4 will cost a total of $6.7 million from the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation’s budget for fiscal year 2023-24.

Plans along CR 138 in Hutto to increase safety After evaluating community input and a traffic analysis of the area, Williamson County revised plans in April for the East Wilco Highway section from SH 130 to CR 137, incorporating safer neigh- borhood entrances and exits, according to a city of Hutto news release. The details The introduction of a new four-way stop along CR 138—at the Derby Day Avenue and Little Lake Road intersection—will serve as a temporary solu- tion until a traffic signal can be installed, according to the release. Design plans removed the originally planned continuous middle lane on CR 138 at Secretariat Ridge Lane. New plans call for only a left-turn lane at this juncture. Drivers will no longer be able to turn left out of Secretariat Ridge Lane. These changes went into effect in April, while

130 TOLL

Future traffic signal location

137

138

SECRETARIAT RIDGE LN.

the full scope of work is expected to be complete by this summer. One more thing The safety improvements will add $4 million to the $160.5 million total estimated cost of this por- tion of the East Wilco Highway project, although costs may vary after the bidding and construction process. Funding for the project will come from the Williamson County 2023 voter-approved road bond.

IMPACT WAY

Impact way extension phase 4

130 TOLL

Full impact way extension

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Development

BY ELLE BENT, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

Hutto ISD sets maximum price for new school Hutto ISD’s board settled on a price for what will be its newest campus, Lee Martinez Elemen- tary School. What you need to know On March 28, trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $55.2 million for the new elementary school. Later this year, the district will begin the process of redistricting to bal- ance attendance between the soon-to-be eight elementary schools, similar to the what it did this year in anticipation of the opening of Gus Almquist Middle School this fall. The cost to build the elementary school will be supported by 2023 bond funds. What else? In February, the board chose to name the new elementary school after Lee Martinez, a

Austin airport breaks ground on expansion Austin-Bergstrom International Airport represen- tatives and elected ocials celebrated a ground- breaking April 22 on the West Inll project, part of an overall expansion plan. The overview The project will add 75,000 square feet across four levels, increasing space for new security checkpoints, passenger processing and amenities. This required the closure of the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint near the JetBlue ticket counter Feb. 5, which will be expanded to accommodate travelers. Airport sta added two more lanes to Checkpoint 2 West to oset congestion while Checkpoint 3 is under construction. Construction began in the fall of 2023 on the West Inll project and is anticipated to be completed in 2026. The project will include:

Regional park to get new pickleball courts Area pickleball players can ready their best paddles as Southwest Williamson County Regional Park is adding six new pick- leball courts among other improvements. What else? Other improvements to the park include renovating three restrooms as well as resur- facing the tennis and basketball courts, three of which will be turned into pickleball courts.

PCDC unveils new strategic plan

The Pugerville Community Development Corporation launched a new strategic plan April 22. The overview The Comprehensive Economic Develop- ment Strategy outlines new strategies for PCDC to pursue over the next three years. The plan outlines three goals, including one to elevate Pugerville’s prole through recruitment practices, funding park improve- ments, investing in mixed-use developments and marketing campaigns. To improve the city’s economy, strategies include incentivizing companies that create high-wage jobs and developing lab space to attract life sciences companies. PCDC also looks to establish adult education programs and attract a four-year university.

Ocials celebrated a groundbreaking on an expansion at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Hutto ISD is planning to break ground on Lee Martinez Elementary School this spring.

RENDERING COURTESY HUTTO ISD

ELLE BENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

bus driver who served the district for over 20 years and was an active member of the Hutto community. According to the district, a groundbreaking for the new facility is planned for this spring, and the campus is slated to open in time for the 2025-26 school year. It will be located adjacent to the Hutto 9th Grade Center, near Destiny Lane and FM 1660 North.

• Up to eight security lanes at the checkpoint • The completion of a new outbound baggage handling system, which will increase capacity for checked luggage screening • More ticketing counters and kiosks • New oces for both airport and security sta The cost The project will cost $241 million and is funded by airport revenue such as parking, airport cash reserves and $15.9 million of federal funding.

Funding from the county’s park operating fund Pickleball courts: $126,000 Tennis and basketball courts: $101,817 Restroom renovations: $597,191

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

ROUND ROCK 201 University Oaks Blvd (512) 341-9066 ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893

GEORGETOWN 1013 W University Ave (512) 868-6696 PFLUGERVILLE 19000 Limestone

Commercial Dr (512) 953-4070

Samsung to invest billions more in Central Texas From the cover

What’s happening?

Taylor

the project stands to total at least $45 billion. The investment will be transformative for the entire region, federal ocials said, adding that more than two dozen manufacturing suppliers have already committed to coming to the area. An early indication of the Samsung eect, iMarket America—a South Korea-based industrial maintenance and repair company—recently opened its U.S. headquarters in Round Rock. The company also purchased 200 acres of land in Taylor for its maintenance services. “I can just say the best part about it is all the jobs we’re creating for Americans in the process—good- paying, family-supporting jobs,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said.

Samsung’s new 4 million-square-foot semiconductor manufacturing plant is under construction on just over 1,200 acres in Taylor. With the help of CHIPS funding, plans for the site now include a second fabrication facility, a research and development center, and an advanced packaging facility. Samsung will also use the funding for a facility expansion in Austin. “This is the epicenter of the technology revolution, the likes of which we have not seen since the Manhattan Project,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, said during the announcement. This agreement brings Samsung’s total local investment to more than double the $17 billion initially committed by the company in 2021, when the project in Taylor was rst announced. Today

973

Samsung

3349

RIO GRANDE ST.

404

SAMSUNG HWY.

Samsung — Taylor, TX CHIPS Act incentive: $6.4 billion Project investment: $45 billion Project size: 1,268 acres Project scope: 2 fabs, 1 R&D fab, 1 advanced packaging facility

SOURCE: SAMSUNGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The framework

The impact

What is the CHIPS and Science Act? A bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at bolstering American semiconductor manufacturing and research by providing funding to tech companies.

Samsung’s project will support over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region, according to a statement from the White House. With the recent investment into semiconductor production in the U.S., the county is expected to see a 25% increase in demand for both technicians without four-year degrees and highly educated engineers by 2030, according to the SIA. In an eort to meet this demand, Samsung has built relationships with higher education institutions, such as Austin Community College, The University of Texas and Texas State Technical College’s Hutto campus. Laura Marmolejo, ACC associate dean of advanced manufacturing, said the school has worked with Samsung to develop specic certica- tion programs tailored to the needs of the company. “The biggest challenge is getting the students. Students don’t know that the industry is really exciting nowadays,” she said.

Since the 1990s, the percentage of semicon- ductors, or chips, produced in the U.S. has decreased. A bipartisan initiative, the CHIPS and Science Act was introduced to address this heavy reliance on foreign manufacturing. “From where I sit as the chairman of the Foreign Aairs Committee, this is vitally important to our national security,” McCaul said. “The reason I introduced [this bill] was to pull the supply chain out of Taiwan, which controls 90% of the advanced semiconductor manufacturing, and bring it here to the United States.” Being able to produce this level of cut- ting-edge technology within America is more important than ever, Raimondo said, highlight- ing the rapidly increasing demand for articial intelligence, high-performance computing and 5G communications. Advancements in semiconductor technology have enabled the chips found in today’s smart- phones to surpass the processing power of computers used by NASA to land a man on the moon in 1969, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, or SIA. Samsung’s plan to build a research and development facility in Taylor will enable them to begin production of 2-nanometer chips, the latest advancement in chip technol- ogy. The smaller transistors on chips result in lower energy consumption and higher speeds, according to industry experts. “All of that is how we put a stake in the

Funding given for American semiconductor manufacturing expansions since 2022

Intel: $19.5B • Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio

TSMC: $11.6B • Arizona

Samsung: $6.4B • Texas

GlobalFoundries: $3B • New York

Other: $209.5M

SOURCE: SIACOMMUNITY IMPACT

ground and we tell the world that America cares about semiconductor manufacturing,” said Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Oce of Science and Technology Policy. “That commitment by America is why Samsung is growing right here in Central Texas. … The investments that come from this CHIPS Act are not just about winning today; they’re also about winning tomorrow.”

Samsung jobs created based on recent announcement: Over 20,000 total direct and indirect jobs 17,000 construction jobs 4,500 manufacturing jobs

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCECOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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