Formerly called Assistance League of Georgetown Area, the nonprofit held a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 2, celebrating its recent rebranding.

A closer look: Now known as Uplift Wilco, the philanthropic group cut ties with the nationwide Assistance League organization and rebranded June 1.

Uplift Wilco runs a thrift store on Austin Avenue. The proceeds from it fund the nonprofit's philanthropic programs, which focus on supporting area teachers, students and families.

Notable quote: "Today we're cutting more than a ribbon; we're opening a new chapter for Uplift Wilco for the families we serve and the future of our community," Uplift Wilco President Jo-Anne Martin said.

• 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 115, Georgetown

During the month of May, Community Impact published 88 stories about the Georgetown area, including updates on new and coming soon businesses, transportation projects and City Council action.

Here's a roundup of five of the most-read stories.

1. Construction underway on site of future Georgetown Texas Roadhouse

2. Second HTeaO location opens in Georgetown

3. Georgetown officials update plans for Austin Avenue, University Avenue corridor

4. Georgetown residents to see utility rate increases Oct. 1

5. Sun City breaks ground on 9-hole golf course

Georgetown City Council passed an ordinance to repeal the city's local fee for Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission permits at a May 26 meeting.

The details: The city previously charged businesses a fee for TABC permits, which generated about $4,000 a year for the city's budget, Chief Financial Officer Leigh Wallace said.

Last year, the Texas Senate passed a bill that prevents local governments from charging businesses more than one local permit fee for food and alcohol.

To comply with the new rule, Georgetown agreed to stop collecting city level fees, and defer to the Williamson County Health District as the single local authority to charge for the permits.

Why it matters: Funds generated from TABC permits help fund the county’s environmental health program, Wallace said.

A Sprouts Farmers Market, East 51st Street improvements and a new museum building are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Deposition Technology ($27 million): This project at the semiconductor support and manufacturing company consists of a cleanroom expansion and renovation.

2. East 51st Street ($17 million): This project involves the revitalization of East 51st Street from I-35 to Berkman Drive.

3. Sprouts Farmers Market ($4.8 Million): A new location for the grocery store is coming to Hutto.

4. UT Dinosaur Trackways ($4.2 million): The building is a 2,100-square-foot single-story museum, which aims to conserve and house some of Texas’ most renowned fossilized footprints made 113 million years ago by a sauropod and a theropod near Glen Rose.

5. Texas State University: Student Success Commons at the Albert B. Alkek Library ($3.5 million): This project involves the interior renovation of approximately 38,000 square feet of the sixth floor of Alkek Library to add staff offices and study spaces.

The Austin healthcare landscape is shifting to increase specialized care for pediatric patients as community needs grow.

Previously, children and families had to travel outside of the region to seek treatment in the '80s and '90s, said Deb Brown, chief operating officer at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Similarly, patients within the Texas Children’s Hospital network had to travel to Houston before its North Austin campus opened in 2024.

Now, leaders at Austin’s pediatric medical facilities are sharing the importance and unique aspects of pediatric care.

What’s different? Facilities specializing in pediatric medical care are intentionally designed to help ease patient anxiety and provide specialized training for medical professionals, said Dr. Edward Buchanan, chief medical officer of Texas Children’s Austin Campus.

Nearly $8.4 billion in new state funding was not enough to save Texas public school districts from budget shortfalls and campus closures, school administrators said June 1.

What happened: During a 10-hour public hearing at the state Capitol, school district leaders spoke of efforts to stretch their budgets amid high inflationary costs as teachers explained their decisions to leave the classroom due to pay cuts and large class sizes.

The big picture: Last year, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 2, a $8.4 billion school finance bill designed to increase educator salaries, create a new pot of money for fixed costs, provide more training for teachers and boost special education resources.

Roughly one year later, districts across Community Impact’s coverage areas are cutting staff and closing campuses, citing enrollment declines and budget shortfalls. 

Quote of note: "This funding deficit is the final straw for me, and it will be for countless other educators across the state who must leave or who lose their jobs," Austin ISD French teacher Rachel Preston told lawmakers June 1.