Now open: Officials with San Jacinto College officially opened its Center for Biotechnology in McCord Development's Generation Park on Sept. 26, according to a Sept. 23 news release from area economic development firm Greater Houston Partnership. 

The details: The 18,500-square-foot building offers industry-grade training for biotech technicians, ensuring the region can meet workforce demand, San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer said in the news release.

Some context: The opening of the center is coming after a Sept. 23 announcement that pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company—or Lilly—announced plans to build a $6.5 billion manufacturing facility at Generation Park. As previously reported by Community Impact, the launch of The Center for Biotechnology is coming through McCord's efforts brand Generation Park as a premier life sciences hub in Houston. 

• 13455 Lockwood Road, Houston

Several businesses are coming soon to or have recently completed renovations in the Lake Houston area.
This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Now open
Hacienda Los Arcos is now open in Kingwood. Locally owned by Martin Gurrusquieta Sr. and his sons Martin Gurrusquieta Jr. and Jesse Gurrusquieta, Hacienda Los Arcos offers a menu of Tex-Mex dishes, including fajitas and enchiladas, as well as a full bar that serves handcrafted margaritas and cocktails.

• Opened Sept. 1
• 4625 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood

• Opened in August
• 10521 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Ste. 140, Humble

By a 3-2 vote, Harris County commissioners adopted the $2.76 billion fiscal year 2025-26 general fund budget Sept. 24 that prioritizes pay parity and public safety initiatives. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo cast the dissenting votes.

In their words: “Today’s approval is a result of deep coordination and unwavering dedication from every corner of Harris County government,” Daniel Ramos, executive director of the Harris County Office of Management and Budget, said in a statement.

The details: From the $2.76 billion general fund budget, $2.57 billion will be allocated to the 70 Harris County departments with components that include:

• Funding to support pay parity initiatives for law enforcement and county employees
• Expanding to the District Attorney’s Office
• Growing the Harris County Flood Control District maintenance program
• Preserving the county’s credit rating and financial stability

The Nov. 4 election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Oct. 6 to cast votes in various local races and weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

What to know: Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence.

Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card.

Zooming in: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Reside in the county they apply to vote in
• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court