Power availability emerges as critical factor in U.S. economic development
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Surging U.S. electricity demand is reshaping economic development and driving investment in power infrastructure.
20-plus companies agree to comply with Texas data center guidelines
Texas is tightening oversight of data center development as officials address surging power demand, infrastructure costs, water use and impacts on local communities.
Austin voters to consider $295M parks, library bond package
Austin voters will consider $295 million in November bonds for parks, recreation facilities and library projects, including new and expanded branches.
UT advances $1B initial phase of North Austin medical center
UT regents approved a $1 billion initial phase for the Dell Medical Center, funding site development, design, utilities, below-grade construction and equipment in North Austin.
Dallas voters to consider $443M public safety bond
Dallas voters will consider a $443 million bond for police training, fire, 911, emergency operations and other public safety facilities in November.
Texas pauses broadband funding as lawmakers seek review of BEAD awards
Texas has temporarily paused BEAD funding disbursements amid scrutiny of the state’s broadband award process and calls from lawmakers for an audit.
Frisco moving forward with $87.8M in voter-approved construction
Frisco authorized $87.8 million in bonds for voter-approved public safety, street and parks projects, plus up to $60 million to refinance existing debt.
Riot lands $9.1B Anthropic data center deal in Texas
Riot Platforms signed a $9.1 billion agreement for 191 MW of AI data center capacity at its Rockdale campus, expanding its high-performance computing business.
Denton considers $385M expansion of capital improvement budget
Denton will consider nearly $385 million in additional capital funding for water, wastewater, electric, public safety and other infrastructure projects.
Pecos names interim city manager
Pecos has appointed Nicole Alderete-Ferrini as interim city manager. Alderete-Ferrini currently serves as assistant city manager, a role she has held for approximately six months. Prior to her public service career, Alderete-Ferrini spent 12 years in the private sector managing projects in design, planning and community development.
Kerrville gets new economic development manager
Kerrville has selected Winema Martinez to serve as the city’s economic development manager. As economic development manager, Martinez will lead initiatives focused on business retention and expansion, retail recruitment and downtown revitalization efforts. Martinez most recently served as assistant to the city manager for Mesquite.
PIO moves from Round Rock to Elgin
Elgin has named Marcial Guajardo as its new public information officer. Guajardo, an Elgin resident, spent more than 20 years working as a news reporter. He has also worked in communications for Elgin ISD, Pflugerville ISD and the City of Round Rock.
Austin’s fire chief retires at month’s end
Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker will retire Aug. 31. Baker came to Austin in 2018, becoming the first African-American to lead the city’s fire department. Tom Vocke will serve as acting chief while city leaders conduct a nationwide search for their next chief.
EPA taps Midland’s mayor for committee assignment
The Environmental Protection Agency announced that Midland Mayor Lori Blong will be the only official from Texas to participate on the Local Government Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of state and local officials who will help advance the agency’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has described the effort as part of what he calls the “Great American Comeback.”
Heath’s next city engineer licensed in 3 states
The City of Heath has hired John Hernandez as its new city engineer. Hernandez has managed multimillion-dollar projects for state and local government agencies and is a licensed professional engineer in Texas, California and Oklahoma. He also is a registered professional land surveyor in Texas and California.
Governor’s Appointments (Aug. 10-14):
137th Judicial District Court
Laura Beth Fossett – Lubbock
Texas Commission On Fire Protection
Enrique Mata – El Paso
Sulphur River Regional Mobility Authority
Chase Coleman – Paris
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Calvin Davis – Cedar Hill
Alicia Deal – Grapeland
Texas Classroom Commission
Abbigale Grataski – Calallen ISD
Bobbie Lynn Weir – Richardson ISD
Cassidy Estes – Amarillo ISD
Crystal Stipes – Comanche ISD
Danette Wofford – Nacogdoches ISD
Dawnna Talley – Ector County ISD
Eric Hale – Dallas ISD
Hannah Landry – Bridge City ISD
Jean Streepey – Highland Park ISD
JoMeka Gray – Temple ISD
Karla Guevara – Riesel ISD
Laura Fanning – Lubbock ISD
Matthew Driver – Bushland ISD
Nidia De La Cerda – Tuloso-Midway ISD
Noe Perez – Los Fresnos CISD
Sergio Arjon – Houston ISD
Susanne Whitley – Tomball ISD
Tevin King – IDEA Public Schools – El Paso
Tiffany Kilcoyne – Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
Valton Acree – Yorktown ISD
Veronica Bayne – Killeen ISD
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