ATX-GEO: Impact 10/10/2025

Georgetown ISD is requesting community input as the district begins rezoning campuses for the 2026-27 school year.

Community members may provide feedback through an online survey until Oct. 21 or attend an upcoming town hall event from November to January.

What you need to know: GISD is rezoning campuses to accommodate the opening of Elementary School No. 12 and Middle School No. 5 next school year. Additionally, the rezoning process is intended to address capacity concerns at Wolf Ranch, Williams and Cooper elementaries, and fully utilize campuses amid projected enrollment growth, said Wes Vanicek, chief of construction services and future readiness initiatives, at an Oct. 6 board workshop.

Also of note: Parents may apply to participate in a rezoning committee. The committee will be tasked with representing the GISD community through reviewing survey feedback, previewing zoning scenarios, and discussing how transportation, programs and demographics may impact boundaries, according to GISD information.

Looking ahead: GISD officials are expected to present their rezoning recommendations to the board of trustees for approval Feb. 17.

AGE of Central Texas, a non-profit serving older adults and caregivers, will open a new brick-and-mortar location in Georgetown Oct. 20.

The details: AGE offers several resources and services through its two established locations including llicensed adult day health care, early memory loss support, resource navigation, family caregiver education, free durable medical equipment and incontinence supplies, and technology education for older adults.

The new Georgetown location will house the organization's information and resource center to offer free guidance to older adults, caregivers and professionals. The location will also have a health equipment lending program site to connect residents to free physical resources like walkers, wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

• 2425 Williams Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown

Concordia University Texas added its bachelor's of science in wildlife conservation for students in the fall 2025 semester. The new major will focus on management of wildlife populations, protecting endangered species and maintaining healthy ecosystems, according to a university news release. 

The details: Students in the new program will prepare for careers in conservation, habitat management, ecology and wildlife biology through classes and fieldwork. Those pursuing the wildlife conservation major will utilize Concordia's on-campus nature preserve for their education.  

The background: Concordia University, located in northwest Austin, is home to part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The 250-acre federally protected land makes up more than half of the 440-acre campus, and hosts endangered and threatened species like the golden-cheeked warbler and Jollyville Plateau salamander.

Off campus, Concordia manages the Friesenhahn Cave in San Antonio, a paleontological site. 

• 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin

In recent years, developers and economic development professionals in the area have taken on local projects to address the needs of small-business owners for appropriately scaled office and retail space.

The current situation: New facilities, storefronts and resources for small businesses and startups are on the way in Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto.

Round Rock Chamber President Jordan Robinson said coworking spaces were identified this year as part of the chamber’s strategic plan for economic development. This comes as area facility owners are working to expand spaces, and new facilities are planned to support local entrepreneurs.

For small-business owners looking for a storefront, a new facility in Hutto presents an affordable option. Michael Postar, owner of Michael Postar’s Affordable Storage, has blended storage and retail to bring more options for those in need of a storefront in Hutto.

The conditions: Higher rental rates drive business owners to seek alternative options for office and retail space, Robinson said. Coworking spaces help multiple business owners shoulder the costs of being in a high-quality space, she said.