Toronto-based Celestica announced May 13 that it would expand its operations of manufacturing advanced electronic equipment at two sites within the AllianceTexas development.

What's happening? According to its website, the company is a global leader in data center infrastructure and advanced technology solutions. The announcement came one day after Fort Worth City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement with the company.

“It is in our target industry,” said Cherie Gordon, Fort Worth economic development coordinator of Celestica. “It's an electronics manufacturer. It serves several of our target industries in smart building, aerospace, defense and health tech.”

The project would create 1,715 full-time skilled jobs across manufacturing operations, engineering, supply chain and quality assurance, according to a news release. There will be more than 1 million square feet for advanced manufacturing and engineering space.

What else? Celestica would have to hire 30% local residents, and there are enhanced salary requirements tied to the abatement. Gordon said the abatement was brought forth due to competition.

Keller ISD trustees approved a $2.1 million budget amendment to move money into the general fund for repairs to the natatorium, which closed indefinitely on May 12. 

The overview: The natatorium closed due to water filtration failures, deputy superintendent John Allison said at a May 14 trustee meeting. With the recent filter failure, the pool’s filtration system cannot safely circulate the water, he said.

“With the failure of this current filter, we’re unable to process the water in a fashion that the water would be safe,” Allison said.

Looking ahead: Allison said the next trustee meeting on June 9 will include bids from vendors and trustees could approve specific purchases for the filters and dehumidifier. After purchase approval, Allison said the new filters will take between two and three months to arrive, and installation will take between 10-14 days.

“According to our vendor, we’re looking at a potential two to three months before those items can be delivered, and about a 10-14 day installation,” Allison said.

From new Mexican and all-American restaurants to a new children's museum, take a look at 15 business updates in the Keller, Roanoke and northeast Fort Worth areas.

Now open
KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
Customers can create dishes in a build-your-own meal format by selecting their meats, seafood, vegetables and noodles before creating their own sauce.

• Opened April 27
• 2600 N. Tarrant Parkway, Fort Worth

• Opened March 27
• 841 N. Tarrant Parkway, Ste. 101, Keller

• Opening summer 2026
• 9833 N. Freeway, Ste. 131, Fort Worth

• 1 Sports Parkway, Keller

Several business have filed construction permits with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Check out five major construction permits filed around the Metroplex.

1. Simpson Manufacturing expansion: California-based manufacturing company Simpson Manufacturing is scheduled to build a 278,000-square-foot expansion at its McKinney plant near the McKinney airport, according to TDLR documents. The expansion will add space to the existing manufacturing and warehouse buildings, and include a remodel for the building’s office and training space. The company produces construction equipment and parts, including  anchors and fasteners, their website states.

• Location: 2151 S. Airport Drive, McKinney

• Estimated timeline: Sept. 1-March 31, 2028

• Estimated cost: $57 million

2. Krypton Solutions office and research facility: TDLR documents show Krypton Solutions, a manufacturing services provider, will start construction on a new office and research building in Plano in August. The company offers design services and builds parts and electrical components for manufacturing, according to Krypton’s website.

• Location: 3060 Summit Ave., Plano

• Estimated timeline: Aug. 1-Aug. 1, 2027

• Estimated cost: $14.8 million

As health care costs continue rising in Texas and across the nation, state lawmakers are working to understand the factors that make health care unaffordable and what can be done to rein in prices.

The big picture: About 5.2 million Texans, or 16.7% of the state’s population, did not have health insurance in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

For years, advocates have called on Texas lawmakers to pass laws to drive down health care costs and improve access to health insurance. During a two-day hearing April 30 and May 1, a Texas House committee examined why health care costs are rising. Lawmakers will discuss potential policy solutions later this year, committee chair Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said.

What's happening: Yale University professor Zack Cooper said that since 2000, U.S. health care spending has grown three times faster than inflation. The average health insurance premium for a family of four is $27,000 per year, he said.

“Every family is basically buying a new Toyota Corolla worth of health insurance," Cooper told lawmakers.