State and county records name New Jersey-based CoreWeave Inc., an artificial intelligence cloud company, as the expected user of EdgeConneX’s first data center building in Cedar Creek.

The facility is expected to open in August.

Who they are: CoreWeave provides computer infrastructure and services that other companies use to develop and run AI systems, according to its website.

By the numbers: Bastrop County Commissioners approved a 10-year, 75% property tax abatement for the building in December 2024, and assigned the abatement benefits to CoreWeave in October 2025.

What else? The Texas Comptroller’s office certified the first building as a qualifying large data center project July 11, 2025, allowing CoreWeave to claim a 20-year exemption from state and local sales and use taxes on qualifying purchases, such as cooling systems and electricity used to operate the equipment.

Some context: Projects involving EdgeConneX, Pacifico Energy and Amazon Data Services could tie more than 5,500 acres in Cedar Creek to data center developments.

Commissioners will consider future abatement policies at a public hearing July 27.

Texas Roadhouse will open its first Bastrop restaurant July 27, bringing hand-cut steaks, scratch-made sides and its signature rolls to the Sendero development.

In a nutshell: Diners can choose proteins like hand-cut steaks, seafood and chicken; scratch-made sides such as baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese and green beans; and the restaurant’s popular freshly baked dinner rolls served with whipped honey-cinnamon butter.

• Opening July 27
• Sendero, 829 SH 71 W., Bastrop

Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area July 20-23. 

1. New bridge over Onion Creek opens in Buda, increasing city access

2. Liberty Hill approves $1.5M for preliminary planning of downtown project

3. Sunbird Ranch neighborhood to offer land-lease model for homebuyers 55-plus in Georgetown

4. New Braunfels to conduct full analysis of police headquarters due to structural issues

5. iScream Gelato coming to east Round Rock

6. Lost dogs and e-bikes: 5 stories to know in Bastrop-Cedar Creek

Looking to get away this summer without going too far? Check out some places to plan a staycation throughout the Austin area. 

Bastrop
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa: The ranch-style resort offers dining, golf, a water park, spa and event spaces.

Dripping Springs
The Yurtopian: The Hill Country resort offers glamping in Mongolian-inspired yurts with upscale amenities and scenic views.

Georgetown
San Gabriel House: The historic bed-and-breakfast showcases its 20th-century charm with the original pine floors and leaded-glass front door.

Liberty Hill
River Ranch Inn: The self-proclaimed “undecidedly and beautifully offbeat” boutique hotel in Liberty Hill offers guests swimming, kayaking, fishing and stargazing.

North Central Austin
Commodore Perry Estate: The venue features European-style architecture and decor, a pool, restaurant, on-site entertainment and event spaces.

Round Rock
The Ruby Hotel & Bar: The hotel offers a pool, scenic views and private event spaces near the historic downtown, which features an abundance of shopping and dining,

As more data centers are being built in Texas, the state’s water planning agency warns that limited information is available about the booming industry and its impact on water supplies.

The overview: The Texas Water Development Board adopted its initial 2027 State Water Plan on July 23, with a “more robust” version of the plan expected later this year. The plan consists of 3,000 water management projects and 6,700 strategies that experts say are needed to prepare for future severe droughts.

It will cost about $174 billion to complete the projects, according to the TWDB. However, if they are not implemented, a severe drought could cost the state $91 billion in economic damages as soon as 2030 and lead to $177 billion in annual losses by 2080.

The context: These projections do not account for the amount of water that data centers—which largely purchase their water from public systems—may use or how the large facilities could contribute to overall water availability. Right now, the board said it did not have enough information to do so.