ATX-PFH: Impact 9/23/2025

Village at Hutto Station, a residential project by Empire Group of Companies, is now open with one-, two- and three-bedroom single-family homes.

Overview: The 276-home neighborhood, construction on which began in 2023, features rental homes ranging from 680 to 1,300 square feet, according to a news release. Each home comes with a private backyard and smart home technology, with garages and storages units also available for rent.

The neighborhood provides onsite management and maintenance. It also includes a pool, fitness center, co-working rooms, outdoor fire pits, dog parks, a car care station, clubhouse and walking paths.

The Samsung semiconductor plant in Taylor will receive $250 million from a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced Sept. 17.

About the program: The TSIF is a part of the Texas Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act, which Abbott signed into law in 2023.

The TSIF grant furthers the incentive program that aims to bring more semiconductor-related businesses to Texas, as well as support existing semiconductor manufacturers, like Samsung.

The history: Samsung announced its plans to build a semiconductor plant in Taylor in 2021.

A $45 billion project, it is the largest foreign direct investment in Texas on record, according to the Sept. 17 news release. The project includes two new fabrication plants, a new research and development fab, and a new advanced packaging facility on a 1,268-acre site, according to previous Community Impact coverage.

Austin Community College District has introduced a new partnership with Housing Connector, a nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers to housing.

The impact: A recent survey conducted by the college found that 55% of students indicated they are housing-insecure, and 57% stated they would have difficulty finding $500 cash or credit in an emergency.

“Stable housing is essential to our students' success,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said. “Our mission is simple: help every student succeed. This partnership is about meeting students where they are, removing barriers and making sure they have the stability and support to keep moving toward their goals.”

The partnership will connect students with local property owners who are willing to offer accessible and affordable housing options.

Per a Sept. 12 press release, the American Cancer Society and Occidental have partnered to expand access to life-saving cancer treatment to patients across Texas. Occidental’s half-million-dollar donation will help the American Cancer Society continue to deliver the resources patients need to access cancer care that could save their lives.

The details: With the new contribution, Occidental is helping fund essential access to care programs that remove barriers often standing between diagnosis and survival for cancer patients, according to the release.

Programs the partnership is helping with include free lodging, rides to treatment and 24/7 support for cancer patients and caregivers.