ATX-CPF: Impact 10/13/2025

Did you know? Blue Agave is expected to begin serving customers in far Northwest Austin later this month, with a projected opening date of Oct. 17, said owner Tasha Miller. The new restaurant will serve dishes like carnitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and more, as well as monthly and holiday drink specials.

“I really look forward to getting involved with the community and getting to know everyone in this area and really just building something that I would want to do if I lived here,” Miller said. 

Meet the owner: Miller has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. In addition to Blue Agave, she also owns Pelons Tex Mex, Bar 508 Mezcalerita and 508 Coffee Shop in Austin. 

The celebration: Along with traditional dinner service, Miller plans to host special events like tequila dinners where patrons can enjoy a meal with courses that correspond to a particular type of tequila. Additionally, Blue Agave is expected to have a celebration for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos upon opening. 

SHINE Pilates Studios is expanding its studio by moving into a larger space in Cedar Park.

The details: The Pilates studio has relocated from 605 S Bell Blvd., Ste. 104 to 605 S Bell Blvd., Ste. 112. 

The studio offers beginner, intermediate and advanced private and small group classes using the Classical Pilates Method, utilizing equipment such as the reformer, tower, chair and mat work. Monthly memberships are also available.

Also of note: A grand opening celebration will be held in the new space Oct. 17 and feature studio tours, meet-the-instructor opportunities, demo classes and mini-sessions, grand opening specials for new members, refreshments and giveaways.

• 605 S Bell Blvd., Ste. 112, Cedar Park

Travis County commissioners approved an additional $21 million in contracts Oct. 7 to expand child care under the newly rebranded Raising Travis County initiative, bringing total funding to $55 million less than a year after voters approved a countywide tax increase for affordable child care.

The big picture: The program aims to increase early childhood, after-school, and nontraditional-hours child care, while covering gaps in state subsidy programs, supporting thousands of local children. The funding is distributed through Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which will manage child care scholarships for families and gap funding for providers. These partnerships are intended to expand capacity quickly and reduce long wait times.

Of note: The initiative represents one of the fastest child care expansions in the nation, according to county staff. Funding is expected to roll out this fall for providers and early next year for families, increasing access to affordable child care across Travis County.

The funding will supports around 4,099 children in various programs across the county.

Williamson County commissioners approved plans to temporarily move employee office space ahead of the opening of a new administrative building, as well as plans for a new Justice Center Complex.

The setup: Some county operations, including all of the offices operating out of the historic courthouse, will move into the new Williamson County Administration Building next year. The 120,000-square-foot facility is located on an 170-acre tract of land near Southwestern Boulevard and SE Inner Loop in Georgetown.

In addition to finding space solutions before the administration building opens, commissioners are also in the site-selection process for a new Justice Center Complex, which will add significant office space for justice employees.

The current situation: County staff have already implemented Phase 1 of interim office space plans. At an Oct. 7 meeting, commissioners approved phases 2-4, which began this month and will roll out in phases until October 2030.

Latest update: Phase 2, planned for October 2025 through May 2026, of the interim office plans will find solutions for a new district court.

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Oct. 6-10.

1. Hwy. 290 extension could improve travel between Travis and Bastrop counties

2. Bridge placed over Lake Creek to connect Round Rock West with downtown area

3. Austin ISD unveils plans to close 13 schools in 2026-27 school year

4. Cedar Park’s Firefly launches $855 million bid for defense tech company

5. Bastrop Automotive to be built on FM 969

6. Samsung employees to move into office building on Taylor campus this November