SATX-NSA: Impact 10/17/2025

In a unanimous vote, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved an ordinance that allows the Bexar County Department of Military and Veterans Services to coordinate with the Texas General Land Office’s Veterans Land Board to construct a State Veterans Home in Bexar County.

The overview: Keith Wilson, executive director of the BCDMVS, gave a presentation to the court that highlighted the need for a local State Veterans Home, which would require 27 acres of donated land.

According to the presentation, the only county cost is the donated land, with 65% of the construction costs to be covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs through a grant to the state, with the remaining 35% of the cost to be covered by the VLB. The VLB will also cover operations and maintenance costs.

Next steps: Prior to the land transfer, the BCDMVS and VLB will conduct state-funded surveys, environmental assessments and negotiate the conditions for the land transfer. Afterward, a land transfer request will be brought before Commissioners Court for final approval.
 

Book Nerd, a new independent bookstore, has opened in Castle Hills.

The details: Owned by Lauren and Sean Richmond, Book Nerd features a wide selection of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, romantasy, mystery, thrillers, literary fiction and young adult fiction.

What sets the bookstore apart from its counterparts is its genre-first layout, with a wide variety of fantasy, science fiction and romantasy books featured prominently in the front of the store.

Book Nerd also boasts a gathering space in the back of the store where local residents can gather to read and host events. Currently, the couple plans to use the space to host existing book clubs, but they intend to host indie author nights, which will feature multiple authors per event to inform readers about new authors.

• 2211 NW Military, Ste.118, San Antonio

Continental Autonomous Mobility U.S. is looking to expand its New Braunfels manufacturing facility.

The overview: The expansion project, dubbed Project Nemo, is for an additional 65,000-square-foot manufacturing space. It would add $100 million of appraised value to the site, according to a Sept. 30 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation, or NBEDC, presentation.

Two incentives, one by the city and one by the NBEDC, are being considered. The proposed city incentive is for a 10-year, 65% property tax abatement on the expanded portion of the facility. The proposed NBEDC incentive would not exceed $300,000 and is similar to the initial project’s incentive, construction fee waivers and roadway impact fees.

Looking ahead: An agenda item proposing to consolidate the initial Chapter 380 agreement into a Chapter 312 tax abatement will be presented to New Braunfels City Council on Oct. 13. There will also be a public hearing on the tax abatement for the Continental property.   

A new model building store is making its way to Boerne in November. Owner of The Model Box, Stan Spooner, told Community Impact that the store would focus on models, while offering a social setting for hobbyists.

“The idea is to have substantial inventory of all types of historic modeling, including airplanes, cars, ships and stuff like that,” Spooner said. “But we will also have gaming models, which is huge for younger groups of people.”

Looking ahead: Spooner said one goal for the business is to bring in modeling experts to share techniques and host seminars for beginners to the hobby. Seminars will include live videos and tutorials from known modelers around the world, Spooner said.

A soft opening for the business is planned for mid-November, and operating at full capacity by Black Friday, Spooner said.

• 1022 N. Main St., Boerne