Tesla is eyeing Fort Bend County as a potential home for a new manufacturing facility.

What you need to know: The proposed $10.1 billion capital project, also referred to as Project Crystal Sun, could bring a solar cell manufacturing facility to a portion of a 3,057-acre site at FM 1994 and FM 762 within Lamar Consolidated ISD’s boundaries.

As Tesla works to finalize its site selection, the company has submitted a Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation, or JETI, Act application, which is the state’s economic incentive program involving school districts to evaluate the area’s economic factors.

About the project: The proposed facility would manufacture photovoltaic solar cells and assembled solar modules, which are components used to convert sunlight into electricity, according to Tesla’s JETI application.

What's next: Lamar Consolidated ISD will hold a public hearing for the community to participate in the process and the board will vote on the JETI application Sept. 15.

If selected, project construction is expected to begin in 2026 with completion in 2028 and commercial operations set to begin in 2029, per the application.

Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse has opened its second Greater Houston location in Katy, restaurant officials announced in a Sept. 14 news release.

On the menu: The restaurant centers on tableside service of carving open-flame grilled meat including unlimited servings of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage right in front of customers, Community Impact previously reported.

Beyond tableside service, Chama Gaúcha also features a salad bar with over 30 items including cheeses and charcuterie.

• 24205 Bella Katy Drive, Katy

Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones added a $1.4 million investment in county worker programs and a minimum wage raise for Harris Center employees to the county’s proposed budget Sept. 8.

The gist: Briones announced her $1.4 million proposal during a press conference an hour before the Harris County Commissioners Court met to discuss amendments to the county’s proposed $3.09 billion budget and tax rates.

The money would establish a $20 minimum wage for more than 200 Harris Center frontline employees, who deliver mental health and behavioral crisis services, according to a press release.

The investment would also go toward:

• Apprenticeship Advantage Program

• Harris County Consultation Policy

• Harris County Worksite Safety Policy

Zooming in: The commissioners court met Sept. 8 to discuss amendments to the proposed budget, along with the proposed tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The discussion comes as the county faces a projected shortfall of about $180 million.

Three candidates are running to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture in the Nov. 3 election.

The details: Libertarian Austin R. Kelly, Republican Nate Sheets and Democrat Clayton Tucker are vying to become Texas' next commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner's duties include regulating agriculture, administering nutrition programs and providing rural economic development assistance.

How we got here: There is no incumbent in this race after Sheets beat sitting Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in the March Republican primary. Tucker ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while Kelly was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

The winner of the November midterm will be sworn in to succeed Miller in January.

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