New Braunfels community members shared their ideas for the redevelopment of the Dittlinger Mill during Oxbow Development Group’s first public meeting for the project on Aug. 25.

Oxbow Development Group is a San Antonio-based real estate development company that worked to develop The Pearl, Hotel Emma and Pullman Market.

Public input: Some community members voiced concerns with traffic and safety. Others opposed the project outright, saying they wanted the city to stay as it is.

Comal Iron & Metals CEO Marcie Rodriguez said they wanted to see elements of New Braunfels’ Hispanic history incorporated into the project.

New Braunfels resident Julie King said she was concerned about the project's impact on the historic neighborhood to the west. She said the focus group she represented at the workshop wondered what impact “shiney-new-penny restaurants and bars” would have on existing downtown businesses.

Looking ahead: A second public meeting will be held mid-October, although an exact time and location have not been determined as of press time.

Med spa Newman & Company has officially moved into its new space.

The overview: Newman & Company, owned by Rhi Newman, relocated from 125 S. Elliott Knox Blvd to 617 Gruene Road on Sept. 1. The new building has more space for treatment rooms for expanded services, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

What they offer: The spa offers services under four categories: face, body, skin and intimates. Newman & Company offers injections, facials, peptides, body waxing and more.

• 617 Gruene Road, New Braunfels

Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative, and Libertarian Pat Dixon, a professional engineer, are challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the Nov. 3 election. Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's mansion.

The big picture: As Texas’ top elected official, the governor signs and vetoes legislation, serves as commander-in-chief of the state military and appoints members of state agencies or advisory boards. Community Impact asked the three gubernatorial candidates for their perspectives on data centers, education, the cost of living and other topics.

The background: Abbott beat 10 Republican challengers in the March primary election, while Hinojosa beat eight other Democratic candidates to advance to the November election. Dixon was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Texas senators indicated Sept. 1 that they intend to tighten regulations on data centers during next year’s legislative session, which begins in January.

What they're saying: “I think every member's district has had an impact from a data center conversation, so there will be plenty of bills trying to put things in place that are reasonable, responsible regulatory frameworks for data centers,” state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said.

The big picture: With some Texas residents and conservation groups sounding the alarm about water-intensive technologies used by some data centers, state agencies have warned that limited information is available on how much water the industry actually uses. Officials said they have also had trouble determining exactly how many data centers are operating in the state today, as there is no “comprehensive statewide list” of existing and planned facilities.

Estimates from state agencies and the University of Texas at Austin suggest that roughly 370 data centers are currently operating in Texas, with about 100 facilities under construction and another 180 being proposed.