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H-E-B officials are planning to open a new nearly 125,000-square-foot grocery store in Valley Ranch, per a June 29 TDLR filing. The $45 million project will also include a fuel station and car wash.

The timeline: Per the filing, construction is expected to begin in January 2027 and wrap up in October 2027. A projected opening date has not been announced as of press time. 

Some context: Based in San Antonio, H-E-B has over 455 stores and employs over 175,000 partners in Texas and Mexico.

• 11940 N. Grand Parkway E., New Caney

Read the latest updates from hospitals in the Lake Houston area.

1. Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital rolls out new programs, facilities: New and expanded medical programs have premiered at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in the last year, alongside a new retail pharmacy section expected to open this fall.

2. HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood celebrates milestones: HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood officials celebrated the hospital’s 35-year anniversary in May, according to a May 5 news release.

3. Elite Hospital Kingwood launches new scholarship program: Elite Hospital Kingwood officials partnered with Lone Star College-Kingwood in January to offer a scholarship covering a full year of tuition and fees for one student in the college’s nursing program.

4. PAM Health Rehabilitation of Humble creating new programs, pursuing certifications: At PAM Health Rehabilitation of Humble, new inpatient and outpatient programs are being developed. 

5. Northeast Hospital Authority donates $235K to Lone Star College-Kingwood health care programs: A $235,000 donation to LSC-Kingwood’s health care programs will be used to purchase new equipment and fund student scholarships.

Travelers flying through George Bush Intercontinental Airport now have a few more comfortable places to sit, work and charge before boarding.

The details: Houston Airports recently added new seating near gates A14 and A15 in Terminal A, increasing seating in that area by 24%, according to a June 23 release. The update added 47 seats, along with workstations, group seating and built-in charging.

The new setup is meant to better fit how people actually use airport space, according to the release. 

What this means: In Terminal A, the seating includes tray tables, charging access, work areas and group seating. The area also has large windows looking out over the airfield.

The seating was previously used in Terminal D before being moved and installed in Terminal A in May, ahead of a busy summer travel season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup travel period, per the release.

When Sam Houston State University finishes its estimated $13 million-$14 million renovation to The Woodlands Center, nearly 25% more nursing students will be admitted per cohort, said Dr. Devon M. Berry, director of SHSU’s School of Nursing.

The gist: Once the expansion is completed in fall 2029, the school’s total enrollment will have grown by around 70%, increasing to a total headcount of around 720—up from 425.

Quote of note: “We’re just responding to the need in Texas for nurses,” Berry said. “For us to be ... responsive to that, we wanted to find a way to increase our enrollment.”

Some context: Texas is projected to need 307,520 registered nurses by 2038, and a shortage in licensed vocational nurses is projected to begin in 2028, per the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.

State lawmakers are considering water use impacts tied to the spread of new data center developments across Texas, and recently heard input from industry representatives and residents as they plan for next year's legislative session.

The initial review may preview proposed state laws regarding data centers and their local impacts. Ahead of the hearing, Gov. Greg Abbott also stated his "bottom line" expectations for data centers going forward: providing their own power, reusing water and reducing electricity costs for their neighbors.

Testimony from regulators revealed that Texas lacks accurate information about the water use of most data centers now operating statewide, despite mandates to submit those details. Representatives suggested data centers' self-reporting on utility use could be one topic to address next year. Many impacted residents and elected officials also raised concerns with public notice and local regulatory authority in relation to the high-profile developments.