The McKinney Community Development Corp. is celebrating 30 years of investing into projects aimed at enhancing quality of life for residents across the city.

The big picture: MCDC was created in April 1996 after voters approved a half-cent sales tax to fund it. In 30 years since, the MCDC has invested more than $330 million into parks, recreation, affordable housing initiatives, community amenities and other developments.

“If you start down in the southwest corner of McKinney ... and you drive through all of the city up towards Erwin Park, there isn’t an area that hasn’t been touched by MCDC,” President Cindy Schneible said. “Either through parks or other projects.”

How it works: The MCDC provides funding through three types of grants:

• Project grants
• Promotional/community event grants
• Retail development infrastructure grants

The Butterbeer Parlour is open and offering free treats at Walmart in west McKinney for a limited time, a news release states.

The gist: The family friendly pop-up shop is celebrating Butterbeer Season, and is offering Harry Potter-themed activities and samples. Visitors can try samples at the Butterbeer-inspired sampling bar including Butterbeer hot or iced coffee with cold foam, Fudge Stripes Butterbeer cookies and more.

The experience also offers shoppable Butterbeer-themed products. Activities at the pop-up show experience include a children's coloring activity station, photo opportunities and a tote bag giveaway, the release states. The space also features various Harry Potter-themed LEGO big builds and displays.

• 1721 N. Custer Road, McKinney

From new H-E-B locations in Denton to airport construction updates, check out five trending stories from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

H-E-B gives updates on two new Denton locations

Cracker Barrel shifts opening date for new Prosper restaurant

Upgrades coming to Terminals D, F at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Single-family zoning case in north McKinney heads to council

McKinney to enter negotiations with Parkhill for proposed sports complex

Texas is home to the nation’s fastest-growing data center market, with one January report projecting that the state will see a 142% increase in its share of the data center industry by the end of 2028.

During a wide-ranging Texas House hearing April 9, lawmakers questioned data center developers, energy companies and state grid officials about the amount of water the large facilities use; how they impact noise levels and air quality; and whether residents can expect higher costs when data centers come to their communities.

What they're saying: “Water is a really scarce resource in this state, and so we have to have a clear picture of what these facilities use on the water side,” said Thomas Gleeson, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

More details: Data centers use water to cool their computer servers and prevent overheating. The facilities have historically used a water-intensive process known as "evaporative cooling," but data center executives said April 9 that they have transitioned to “closed-loop” systems where water is continuously reused.