Pflugerville will receive a $176 million federal WIFIA loan to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure as the city prepares for long-term population growth.

The details: Announced Nov. 20 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan will fund multiple system improvements aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing infrastructure across the city.

According to the city, the loan will support:

• Design and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant
• Expansion and consolidation of wastewater collection systems
• Rehabilitation of existing water mains
• Continued work on the 54-inch Wilbarger Wastewater Interceptor, which will help manage increased flows in the Wilbarger and Cottonwood basins

Hutto ISD's ninth elementary school will be located in the Flora home development, administrators shared in November. 

What you need to know: The 17.3-acre site for Elementary School No. 9 will be located in the Flora community, along the future Aurora Meadow Drive. 

Remember this? The land acquisition for this campus was announced by HISD in October. The site near the Flora housing development cost $6 million and was funded through the 2023 bond. At the time of the announcement, plans for a specific campus at this site were not shared.

A new specialty grocery store is bringing a variety of European flavors, crafts and a taste of Georgian culture to Round Rock.

About the business: Locally owned by Khatia Pipia and her husband, David, Qvevri Georgian & European Market offers European dairy, meats, snacks, desserts and other specialty items.

Pipia said the shop is focused on sharing the Georgian culture with the community, including food, wine, handmade scarves and other merchandise imported from the eastern European nation.

• 1205 Round Rock Ave., Ste. 113, Round Rock

Cynthia Long has served as a Williamson County commissioner for almost 20 years. Before her time on Commissioners Court, Long was elected to Cedar Park City Council twice.

Long will not seek re-election next year as her fifth term as Precinct 2 Commissioner comes to an end in November 2026. She spoke with Community Impact about her decision, her accomplishments as a commissioner and her hopes for the future of Williamson County.

What factored into your decision to not seek re-election?
I really feel good about a lot of the things that we've been able to accomplish, and certainly there's always more things to do, but [we’re] at a good spot that a lot of things that I've worked on over the years we've made some really good progress on. So, it feels like the right time.

What is the role of a commissioner, in your opinion?
Serving with compassion, but also being a fiscally responsible person because we have to make sure you can continue to afford to live here.